Jaishankar, Muttaqi hold India upgrades tech mission in Kabul to Embassy

 

 

 

 

INDIA on Friday announced the upgrading of its technical mission in Kabul to the status of an embassy and decided to restart its development projects in Afghanistan with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar appreciating the Taliban set-up for showing sensitivity towards

 

New Delhi’s security concerns. Jaishankar made the twin announcements during his wide-ranging talks with visiting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi for the first time, signalling a new approach in New Delhi’s ties with Kabul though it has not yet recognised the Taliban set-up that came to power in August 2021. Muttaqi, on a six-day trip to India, said Afghanistan will not allow any elements to use its territory against New Delhi’s interests and identified the Daesh terror group (ISIS) as the main challenge for the region.

 

He added that Kabul is at the frontlines of this struggle. Since the Taliban came to power, New Delhi has been insisting that Afghan soil must not be used for any terrorist activities against any country. The Afghan Foreign Minister also invited Indian companies to invest in the mining and mineral sector in his country, saying it would help strengthen the bilateral trade relations. In the talks, the two sides welcomed the commencement of the India-Afghanistan air freight corridor, which is expected to enhance direct trade and commerce between the two countries.

 

Hours after Jaishankar announced an upgrade of its diplomatic presence in Kabul, Muttaqi told a select group of journalists that Kabul will also send diplomats to India as part of step-by-step efforts to improve the bilateral ties. India had withdrawn its officials from its embassy in Kabul after the Taliban seized power in August 2021. In June 2022, India re-established its diplomatic presence in the Afghan capital by deploying a “technical team”. “Your visit marks an important step in advancing our ties and affirming the enduring friendship between India and Afghanistan,” Jaishankar told Muttaqi in his opening remarks.

 

In the interaction with the small group of journalists, Muttaqi said Kabul will soon send its diplomats to New Delhi. “The Foreign Minister (S Jaishankar) said you can send diplomats to New Delhi now.

 

When we go back, we will select people and send them,” he said. Asked if the Taliban regime will appoint an ambassador, Muttaqi said: “we will now send diplomats and gradually the contacts will increase.” Till now, Afghan missions in India have officials who were largely appointed by previous Ashraf Ghani Government.