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India has reopened its embassy in Kabul after four years, marking a significant expansion of diplomatic ties following Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s recent visit to New Delhi. This move follows earlier announcements by Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar about restoring full diplomatic status at the embassy in Kabul.
The Indian government closed its embassy in Kabul after the Taliban took control in 2021, following the withdrawal of US-led NATO forces. However, a small mission was established a year later to support trade, healthcare, and humanitarian efforts. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement confirming the official upgrade: “As per the decision announced during the recent visit of the Afghan Foreign Minister to India, the government is elevating India’s Technical Mission in Kabul to a full embassy with immediate effect.”
It added, “This step underscores India’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations across all areas of mutual interest.” The embassy in Kabul aims to bolster India’s contributions to Afghanistan’s development, humanitarian initiatives, and capacity-building projects, aligning with Afghan societal priorities.
While numerous nations maintain embassies in Kabul—such as Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran, and Turkey—Russia is the only country that has formally recognized the Taliban government. Muttaqi’s six-day trip to India earlier this month was seen as a move to enhance regional cooperation and economic ties.
Despite the longstanding friendly relationship between India and Afghanistan, New Delhi has not officially recognized the Taliban regime. Western diplomats note that the persistence of restrictions on women under the Taliban hinders progress toward formal recognition.
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