After Taliban minister's visit, Kabul embassy restored

NEW DELHI: India Tuesday restored its embassy in Kabul, upgrading its technical mission to the level of an embassy, following the announcement made during Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s recent visit to India.

As per understanding between the two sides, India will designate the head of the mission in Kabul as chargé d’affaires before eventually appointing an ambassador, while the Taliban are expected to send two diplomats to New Delhi by Nov.The diplomats will operate from Afghan embassy here, even though India has not formally recognised the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the name used by Taliban for their regime. The move marks a significant step towards expansion of economic cooperation, enabling India to play a greater role in Afghanistan’s development while maintaining its position of aligning with the global community on recognition.Muttaqi’s unprecedented visit and the decision to elevate ties came amid mounting tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which saw border clashes even as the Afghan minister was in India.“In keeping with decision announced during the visit of Afghan foreign minister to India, govt is restoring the status of the Technical Mission of India in Kabul to that of Embassy of India in Afghanistan with immediate effect,” India said in a statement.

It added that the move underscored India’s resolve to deepen bilateral engagement in all spheres of mutual interest.India had shut its embassy in Aug 2021 after the Taliban takeover but reopened a technical mission in June 2022, following security assurances from Kabul, to oversee distribution of humanitarian aid.Taliban view Muttaqi’s visit as heralding a new phase in bilateral ties. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while condemning terrorism emanating from “regional countries” — a veiled reference to Pakistan.

Taliban’s expression of support for India’s sovereignty over J&K angered Islamabad, which lodged a formal protest with Kabul.This week, Taliban defence minister Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob rejected Pakistani claims that India was behind recent tensions between the two neighbours. “These accusations are baseless & illogical. We will strengthen ties with India within the framework of our national interests,” he said, adding that Kabul seeks peaceful relations with Pakistan as well.India, while refraining from recognising Taliban govt, continues to press for an inclusive regime and protection of women’s & children’s rights. So far, Russia is the only country to have formally recognised the Taliban govt, while China and Pakistan have accepted its diplomats.