New Delhi [India], October 21 (ANI): In a significant diplomatic move, India on Tuesday restored the status of its Technical Mission in Kabul to that of an Embassy, effective immediately. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a release that the decision underscores India’s commitment to deepening its bilateral engagement with Afghanistan across all areas of mutual interest.
The upgrade was announced by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during his meeting with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, who visited India from October 9 to 16. According to the MEA, the Embassy of India in Kabul will further enhance India’s contribution to Afghanistan’s comprehensive development.
“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. This decision underscores India’s resolve to deepen its bilateral engagement with the Afghan side in all spheres of mutual interest,” the MEA said in its statement.
“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 added.
During his meeting with Muttaqi, Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s full commitment 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 the Embassy of India,” Jaishankar said.
A joint statement issued after the talks between Jaishankar and Muttaqi said both sides discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest and key regional developments. The External Affairs Minister reiterated India’s long-standing friendship with the Afghan people and highlighted the deep-rooted cultural and historical ties that bind the two nations. He conveyed India’s continued commitment to supporting the aspirations and developmental needs of the Afghan people.
Jaishankar also expressed appreciation to Afghanistan for its strong condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and for its condolences and solidarity with the people and Government of India. Both sides unequivocally condemned all acts of terrorism emanating from regional countries and underscored the importance of promoting peace, stability, and mutual trust in the region.
Emphasizing respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Jaishankar appreciated the Afghan side’s understanding of India’s security concerns. The Afghan Foreign Minister reiterated the commitment that the Afghan government would not allow any group or individual to use Afghan territory against India.
Jaishankar expressed condolences over the loss of lives caused by the recent devastating earthquake in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces. Muttaqi thanked India for being the first responder to the disaster and for providing relief materials.
Considering Afghanistan’s urgent need for economic recovery and development, both sides agreed that India would deepen its engagement in development cooperation projects, particularly in healthcare, public infrastructure, and capacity building. India also expressed willingness to assist the Afghan government in reconstructing residential buildings in earthquake-affected areas.
The two sides reviewed the progress of India’s ongoing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, including the supply of food grains, school stationery, disaster relief materials, and pesticides. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to continuing such support. Muttaqi expressed appreciation for India’s comprehensive and generous aid, including assistance for forcibly repatriated refugees in Afghanistan.
Both sides discussed expanding cooperation in sports, especially cricket, to strengthen cultural interactions. They also welcomed the commencement of the India-Afghanistan Air Freight Corridor, which is expected to enhance direct trade and commerce between the two countries.
The Afghan side invited Indian companies to invest in the mining sector to further strengthen bilateral trade and commercial relations. Appreciating India’s role in the construction and maintenance of the India-Afghanistan Friendship Dam (Salma Dam) in Herat, both sides underscored the importance of sustainable water management and agreed to cooperate on hydroelectric projects to meet Afghanistan’s energy needs and support its agricultural development.
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