National Times Bureau :- In a significant move to enhance India-Afghanistan relations, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced that India will upgrade its technical mission in Kabul to a full-fledged embassy. The announcement came during Jaishankar’s meeting with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
“I am pleased to announce the upgrading of India’s technical mission in Kabul to the status of an embassy. India remains fully committed to Afghanistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence,” EAM Jaishankar stated.
This marks a major step in India’s neighbourhood diplomacy, coming four years after India closed its embassy and consulates in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover in 2021. The meeting between Jaishankar and Amir Khan Muttaqi is the most substantial engagement between India and the Taliban since the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
India’s move comes amid growing tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan, including issues related to cross-border terrorism and the return of thousands of Afghan refugees to Afghanistan. These developments have opened a window for New Delhi to strengthen its engagement with the Afghan government.
