India upgrades ties with Taliban, announces to reopen Kabul embassy

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced on Friday that New Delhi will upgrade its technical mission in Kabul to a full-fledged embassy.

The announcement came during Jaishankar’s meeting with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, marking the highest-level interaction between India and the Taliban since the group seized power in 2021.

“I am pleased to announce the upgrading of India’s technical mission in Kabul to the status of the Embassy of India,” Jaishankar said. “India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Afghanistan.”

The decision came nearly four years after New Delhi shut down its embassy and consulates following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul.

Diplomatic observers see the move as part of India’s broader strategy to rebuild influence in Afghanistan amid strained Taliban-Pakistan relations.

The thaw in India-Afghanistan engagement comes even as New Delhi has not formally recognized the Taliban regime. 

However, Indian media reports say the restoration of a full embassy reflects India’s intent to safeguard its development projects, maintain people-to-people ties, and address regional security concerns.

Muttaqi’s meeting with Jaishankar is being viewed as a diplomatic breakthrough — and a potential turning point in South Asia’s evolving geopolitical landscape.