New Delhi: In a landmark move signalling thawed relations, India has elevated its technical mission in Kabul to the full status of an embassy with immediate effect, marking a cautious yet significant reengagement with Afghanistan’s Taliban administration four years after the chaotic US withdrawal.
The decision, announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday, underscores New Delhi’s unshaken dedication to bolstering bilateral ties amid regional complexities, focusing on mutual interests like development and stability.
The upgrade follows a pivotal nine-day visit by Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi from October 9 to 16, during which he held extensive talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
In their New Delhi meeting on October 10, Jaishankar hailed the step as a pathway to enhanced cooperation, affirming India’s dedication to Afghanistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. “Closer cooperation between us contributes to your national development, as well as regional stability and resilience,” Jaishankar stated, explicitly announcing the mission’s elevation to embassy level.
Muttaqi, in turn, reassured India that Kabul would not permit its soil to be used against New Delhi’s interests and pledged to dispatch diplomats to India soon, aiming for phased advancement in ties. The MEA emphasised that the restored embassy will amplify India’s role in Afghanistan’s holistic progress, including humanitarian aid, capacity-building, and initiatives aligned with Afghan societal needs — efforts that have already seen New Delhi deliver over $3 billion in assistance since 2001, from infrastructure to education.
This pragmatic pivot, while not amounting to formal recognition of the Taliban, reflects India’s strategic balancing act: addressing security concerns while prioritising people-centric diplomacy. As Muttaqi urged Indian businesses to explore Afghan mining opportunities during his visit, the embassy’s revival could unlock new avenues for trade and connectivity, potentially easing tensions in a volatile neighbourhood. Yet, sources hint at a measured approach, with no immediate appointment of a full ambassador, underscoring the delicate tightrope New Delhi treads.