NEW DELHI, Oct. 10 — India will soon upgrade its technical mission in Kabul to a full-fledged embassy, signaling a significant step forward in New Delhi’s diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar announced on Friday.
Speaking after his meeting with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Jaishankar emphasized the “historic bond of friendship and mutual respect” between the two nations, reaffirming India’s continued commitment to supporting the Afghan people in times of need — including during natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
“India’s ties with Afghanistan are civilizational and deeply rooted. We have always stood by the Afghan people in their times of hardship,” Jaishankar said.
India had downgraded its embassy operations in Kabul nearly four years ago, closing consulate offices in major Afghan cities amid escalating violence between Taliban forces and the previous Afghan government. As the situation deteriorated in August 2021, the Indian Air Force conducted emergency evacuations using C-17 transport aircraft to bring home diplomats and staff safely.
Following a 10-month diplomatic hiatus, India re-established a limited presence in Kabul by deploying a technical team to the embassy in mid-2022, after receiving assurances from the Taliban administration regarding the security of Indian personnel.
In recent months, bilateral ties have shown notable improvement. Minister Muttaqi, during his discussions with Jaishankar, reiterated that the Taliban government would not allow Afghan territory to be used for terrorism against India.
Muttaqi also expressed gratitude for India’s timely humanitarian assistance following the devastating earthquake of August 31, which claimed over 2,000 lives and destroyed more than 5,000 homes.
“India’s swift response in providing aid and relief to the affected families demonstrated its long-standing solidarity with the Afghan people,” Muttaqi said, praising New Delhi’s continued engagement.
The decision to restore the Indian Embassy in Kabul marks a new phase in diplomatic normalization between the two countries and reflects India’s intent to play a constructive role in Afghanistan’s recovery and stability.
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