Overview
- The Ministry of External Affairs announced the restoration of India's Kabul outpost to full embassy status, implementing a decision flagged during Afghan acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit.
- External affairs minister S. Jaishankar had signaled the upgrade on October 10 during talks in New Delhi, following which the formal step was taken on October 21.
- The embassy will focus on development projects, humanitarian aid and capacity-building for Afghan institutions, according to the MEA statement.
- India maintains it has not formally recognised the Taliban administration, and reporting indicates the mission will be led by a chargé d’affaires rather than an ambassador.
- The recalibration follows months of limited engagement since India closed the embassy in 2021 and posted a technical team in 2022, with Afghan officials saying they plan to send diplomats to New Delhi.