New Delhi : In a major development in India-Afghanistan ties, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told the visiting Taliban minister that New Delhi would upgrade its technical mission in Kabul to a full-fledged embassy. I am pleased to announce the upgrading of India’s technical mission in Kabul to the status of embassy of India… India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan,” Jaishankar said during his meeting with Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
The restoration of diplomatic relations with Afghanistan, four years after India closed its embassy as well as consulates in 2021, is a crucial moment in India’s neighbourhood diplomacy. Muttaqi’s meeting with Jaishankar marks the most robust interaction with India since Taliban captured Kabul in 2021 following the withdrawal of the US. The fraught ties between Taliban and Pakistan over cross-border terror and Islamabad sending back thousands of Afghan refugees has given India a window to up its engagement with the regime in Kabul.
Jaishankar asserted that both the nations shared the threat of cross-border terrorism, taking a swipe at Pakistan and called for forging a closer cooperation. A meeting between us in person has a special value in allowing us to exchange perspectives, identify common interests and forge closer cooperation, Jaishankar said. We have a common commitment towards growth and prosperity. However, these are endangered by the shared threat of cross-border terrorism. We must coordinate efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms. We appreciate your sensitivity towards India’s security concerns,” the Union minister further underscored.
Welcoming the reopening of the embassy in Kabul, the Taliban foreign minister called for both countries to increase their engagements and exchanges. Significantly, Muttaqi underlined that Afghanistan would not allow its territory against others, in a pointed message to Pakistan. Afghanistan looks at India as a close friend. We will not allow any group to use our territory against others. Afghanistan wants relations based on mutual respect, trade and people-to-people relations, he said.
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