Overview

• Afghan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is in India on a UN‑approved travel waiver from October 9 to 16, holding the first high‑level talks with New Delhi since 2021.
• External affairs minister S. Jaishankar announced the upgrade of India’s technical mission in Kabul to a full embassy, restoring a formal diplomatic presence.
• India unveiled new assistance for Afghanistan, including six development projects, 20 ambulances, MRI and CT machines, vaccines and cancer medicines, a food consignment, and support for earthquake recovery and housing for forcibly repatriated Afghans.
• Security dominated the talks as India reiterated that Afghan territory must not be used for terrorism and Muttaqi pledged no group would be allowed to operate against other countries.
• New steps to ease ties include more visas, additional Kabul–New Delhi flights, education opportunities and trade facilitation, while New Delhi continues to withhold formal recognition of the Taliban administration.