India is set to reopen its embassy in Kabul, marking a significant step toward normalising diplomatic ties with Afghanistan. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced the decision during his meeting with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi.
This marks the first high-level diplomatic engagement between India and the Taliban-led government since 2021, when the group took control of Afghanistan after the withdrawal of US forces.
India Upgrades Technical Mission to Full Embassy
India had closed its embassy and all consulates in Afghanistan in August 2021 following the Taliban’s takeover. However, in 2022, New Delhi re-established a limited diplomatic presence by sending a technical team to Kabul to oversee humanitarian assistance and other essential functions.
Jaishankar confirmed that India will now upgrade this technical mission to a full-fledged embassy, allowing both countries to enhance political and economic engagement.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
During their meeting, Jaishankar welcomed the Afghan delegation and said the talks represented “a step in advancing” ties between the two nations.
“We had opportunities to speak with each other during the Pahalgam attack and earthquakes in Afghanistan,” Jaishankar said. He added that India remains “fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan.”
The minister emphasised that closer cooperation between India and Afghanistan would contribute to “regional stability and resilience.”
“As a contiguous neighbour and a well-wisher of the Afghan people, India has a deep interest in your development and progress,” Jaishankar said.
Afghanistan Calls India a ‘Close Friend’
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi thanked India for its continued support, especially during times of crisis. He said that India was the first country to respond during the recent earthquake in Afghanistan.
“Afghanistan looks at India as a close friend. Afghanistan wants relations based on mutual respect, trade, and people-to-people relations,” Muttaqi said.
A Step Toward Stability in the Region
Experts view India’s decision to reopen its embassy as both strategic and humanitarian. New Delhi has remained one of Afghanistan’s key partners over the years, contributing to major infrastructure and development projects, including the Afghan Parliament building, the Salma Dam, and road networks.
With this decision, India aims to restore its role as a trusted development partner while maintaining dialogue on security and regional peace.
