India elevates tech mission to Embassy in Kabul reaffirms commitment to Afghanistan

By Anjali Sharma

WASHINGTON – Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday that “This decision underscores India’s resolve to deepen its bilateral engagement with the Afghan side in all spheres of mutual interest.”

India restored the status of the Technical Mission of India in Kabul to that of the Embassy of India in Afghanistan with immediate effect, underscoring New Delhi’s resolve to deepen its bilateral engagement with Kabul.

“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 a statement.

India’s Technical Mission was operational in Kabul from June 2022, providing limited diplomatic and humanitarian engagement after the closure of the Indian Embassy in August 2021, after the withdrawal of US-led NATO forces from Afghanistan.

The decision to upgrade the Technical Mission of India in Kabul to an Embassy was announced by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during his recent meeting with Afghanistan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi. The Afghan Foreign Minister visited India from October 9 to 16.

“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 the statement.

MEA said 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.

Jaishankar held detailed discussions with the visiting Afghan Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, in New Delhi as both sides discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest, as well as important regional developments.

EAM had reiterated India’s long-standing friendship with the Afghan people and highlighted the deep-rooted cultural and historical ties binding the two nations. He also conveyed India’s continued commitment to support the aspirations and developmental needs of the Afghan people.

“India is fully committed 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 Embassy of India,” EAM Jaishankar said in his opening remarks during the meeting with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister.