India has reopened its embassy in Kabul after four years, signaling a new phase of engagement with Afghanistan’s Taliban-led interim government.
The decision follows Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s recent visit to New Delhi aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Wednesday that the government has restored the status of its Technical Mission in Kabul to a full-fledged embassy “with immediate effect.”
“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,” the MEA said in a statement.
The ministry added that the move reflects India’s commitment to “deepen its bilateral engagement with the Afghan side in all spheres of mutual interest,” including development, humanitarian assistance, and capacity-building projects.
Background: From withdrawal to reopening
India had closed its embassy in Kabul in August 2021 after the Taliban seized power following the withdrawal of US-led NATO forces. A year later, New Delhi established a small technical mission to oversee trade facilitation, medical support, and humanitarian efforts.
Earlier this month, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar announced plans to reopen the embassy in Kabul, marking a significant step toward normalizing India-Afghanistan diplomatic relations.
Regional context and diplomatic landscape
At present, about a dozen countries—including Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran, and Turkiye—have embassies operating in Kabul. However, Russia remains the only country to have formally recognized the Taliban regime.
Muttaqi’s six-day visit to India earlier this month underscored Kabul’s push to strengthen ties with regional powers. Analysts believe this outreach reflects the Taliban’s desire to enhance economic cooperation and move closer to diplomatic recognition.
Despite the reopening, India has not yet formally recognized the Taliban government but has maintained its stance on supporting the Afghan people through humanitarian channels.
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