India Formally Elevates Technical Mission In Kabul To Embassy; Aims For Deeper Bilateral Ties With Afghanistan

India has upgraded its technical mission in Kabul to a full-fledged embassy, signalling a deeper diplomatic engagement with the Taliban and renewed bilateral cooperation with Afghanistan.

The move, announced on Tuesday (21 October) comes after External Affairs Ministeer S Jaishankar’s meeting with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, where he expressed India's intent to expand its diplomatic footprint in Kabul.

Following the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, India had evacuated its embassy personnel from Kabul.

A limited “technical team” was re-established in June 2022 to retain minimal diplomatic presence in Afghanistan.

The current decision upgrades that mission to a full embassy, led by a Charge d’Affaires-level diplomat.

"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 MEA said in a statement on Tuesday (21 October).

The Ministry of External Affairs described the upgrade as a step towards strengthening ties “across all areas of mutual interest.”

The MEA stated that the full embassy will enhance India’s role in Afghanistan’s development, humanitarian aid, and capacity-building efforts aligned with Afghan aspirations.

"This 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," the MEA said.

Taliban Foreign Minister Khan Muttaqi’s recent six-day visit to India reflected a cautious but evolving phase in India-Afghanistan relations.

During his visit, the Afghan foreign minister said that Afghanistan will not allow any elements to threaten India or use Afghan territory against its interests, citing the ongoing threat posed by Daesh in the region.

Muttaqi further revealed that Afghanistan plans to deploy its diplomats to India soon, marking another step toward restoring formal bilateral cooperation.

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