India on Tuesday announced the upgrading of its diplomatic presence in Afghanistan from a technical mission to a full-fledged embassy in Kabul.
This move signals deeper engagement with the Taliban-led administration while stopping short of formal recognition of the regime that came to power in August 2021.
This upgradation in status follows the recent visit of Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to India, the first by a senior member of the group. Subsequently talks were held between Muttaqi and India’s foreign minister S. Jaishankar on October 10.
“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 Embassy of India in Afghanistan with immediate effect,” the external affairs ministry said in a statement.
“This decision underscores India’s resolve to deepen its bilateral engagement with the Afghan side in all spheres of mutual interest.”
India had withdrawn its officials and closed all missions in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover in 2021, re-establishing a technical team in Kabul in June 2022.
The upgraded embassy will enhance India’s support for Afghanistan’s development, humanitarian aid, and capacity-building initiatives.
Officials said the diplomat heading the embassy will have the rank of chargé d’affaires, with no ambassador appointed, reflecting India’s policy of engagement without formal recognition of the Taliban government.
