- India has restored full diplomatic relations with Afghanistan, upgrading its Mission in Kabul to an Embassy
- India also supported the sovereignty of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan and announced six new development projects
- India downgraded its embassy four years ago amid fighting between the Taliban and then-Afghani government
India has restored full diplomatic relations with Afghanistan and will upgrade its Technical Mission in Kabul to an Embassy, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Friday morning, with his Afghani counterpart, Amir Khan Muttaqi, by his side.
"India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Afghanistan. I am pleased to announce the upgrading of India's Technical Mission to status of Embassy'," Jaishankar said.
The minister spoke about a "deep interest" in Afghanistan's development and progress, pointing to many existing India-backed projects in that country, and committed to six more.
He also referred to India's "extended support" for the health of the Afghan people, particularly during the COVID pandemic, and offered a gift of 20 ambulances as a "goodwill gesture", and also a supply of high-tech medical equipment, vaccines, and cancer medications.
The embassy in Kabul had been downgraded four years ago, and consulate offices in smaller cities closed, amid fighting between the Taliban and the then-Afghani government.
RECAP | How India Evacuated Kabul Embassy, Under Taliban's Observation
The violence prompted India to deploy military aircraft to evacuate embassy personnel; two C-17 transport planes flew in late August 15 and early August 16 to bring back staff.
India resumed diplomatic presence in Kabul 10 months later. A technical team was deployed to the embassy, but only after the Taliban, which had by then captured the government, said adequate security would be provided if Delhi were to send officials back to the Afghan capital.
Fast-forward to October 2025, however, and relations have improved further, highlighted by Muttaqi's firm statement - the Taliban will not allow its soil to be used for anti-India activities.
That remark is significant since it comes against the backdrop of military action by Pakistan in Afghanistan - against what it claims are Afghan-backed terrorists striking on Pak territory.
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Pak Defence Minister Khawaja Asif 'warned' Kabul this week that Islamabad - which supports terror groups and terrorists attacking India - will not "tolerate cross-border terrorism..."
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The Taliban's condemnation of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack - carried out by a Pak-based group - was also a big moment, particularly in the context of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in the region.
'Happy to be in New Delhi'
Muttaqi, meanwhile, lavished praise on India in, and after, his meeting with Jaishankar, recalling swift support after the devastating earthquake on August 31.
Over 2,000 people were killed in that disaster and more than 5,000 home destroyed.
"I am happy to be in Delhi, and this visit will increase the understanding between the two countries. India and Afghanistan should increase their engagements and exchanges... we will not allow any group to use our territory against others," Muttaqi said.
"In the recent earthquake... India was a 'first responder'. Afghanistan looks at India as a close friend (and) wants relations based on mutual respect, trade and people-to-people relations. We are ready to create a consultative mechanism of understanding to strengthen our relations."
Muttaqi's visit is the first major exchange with Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power. However, for him to make the trip to India, restrictions imposed by the United Nations had to be suspended. The exemption underlined the significance of the visit as the Taliban and India seek to recalibrate ties.
For India, the visit is a delicate but strategic gamble.
Engaging directly with the Taliban allows New Delhi to secure its long-term interests in Afghanistan, prevent terror threats emanating from the region, and counterbalance Chinese and Pakistani influence.
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