New Chapter in India-Afghanistan Ties: Technical Mission in Kabul Upgraded to Embassy

India and Afghanistan marked a new chapter in diplomatic ties as New Delhi upgraded its technical mission in Kabul to the status of an embassy. This comes over a week-and-a-half after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said during his meeting with Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi that India will upgrade its diplomatic presence in Kabul. The upgradation is being seen as part of broader efforts to deepen its bilateral engagement with Kabul.The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Indian embassy in Kabul will further augment India's contribution to Afghanistan's comprehensive development, humanitarian assistance, and capacity-building initiatives."In keeping with the decision announced during the recent visit of the Afghan foreign

minister to India, the government is restoring the status of the technical mission of India in Kabul to that of the Embassy of India in Afghanistan with immediate effect," it said in a statement. The MEA said the decision underscores India's resolve to deepen its bilateral engagement with the Afghan side in "all spheres of mutual interest". "The Embassy of India in Kabul will further augment India's contribution to Afghanistan's comprehensive development, humanitarian assistance, and capacity-building initiatives, in keeping with the priorities and aspirations of Afghan society," it said in a statement.The mission will be headed by a diplomat in the rank of Charge d'affaires, reported PTI.

Why India Withdrew From Kabul

India had withdrawn its officials from its embassy in Kabul after the Taliban seized power in August 2021. In June 2022, India re-established its diplomatic presence in the Afghan capital by deploying a "technical team". Now, the technical mission has been upgraded to the status of an embassy. The annoucement was made during Muttaqi's meeting with Dr Jaishankar in New Delhi. "India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan. Closer cooperation between us contributes to your national development, as well as regional stability and resilience. To enhance that, I am pleased to announce today the upgrading of India’s Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of Embassy of India," said Jaishankar in his bilateral meeting with Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi earlier this month.

New Chapter in India-Afghanistan Ties

Muttaqi was in India this month for six days that signalled a new approach in New Delhi's ties with Kabul though it has not yet recognised the Taliban set up. The foreign minister of the Taliban set-up had said Afghanistan will not allow any elements to use its territory against New Delhi's interests. Muttaqi told a select group of journalists that Kabul will also send diplomats to India as part of step-by-step efforts to improve the bilateral ties. "We will not allow any (element) to threaten anyone else or use the territory of Afghanistan against others. Daesh is a challenge for the region and Afghanistan is at the frontlines of this struggle," he had said.(With inputs from PTI)