India reopens embassy in Kabul as Taliban FM visits New Delhi
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India has reopened its embassy in Kabul, marking a shift in its Afghanistan policy during the first visit of Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to New Delhi since 2021.
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A cyclist pedals past the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi, India, on September 30, 2023. (AP)
India has reopened its embassy in Kabul, signaling a notable shift in its approach to the new government. The announcement was made by External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar during a high-profile meeting in New Delhi with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
"I’m pleased to announce today the upgrading of India’s technical mission in Kabul to the status of Embassy of India," Jaishankar stated in his opening remarks.
This visit marks the first time a senior Taliban official has traveled to India since the group returned to power in 2021. Like many countries, India had suspended diplomatic ties with Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover and closed its mission in Kabul. This visit underscores a cautious but deliberate reengagement in Afghanistan-India relations.
The renewed contact builds on earlier meetings between Indian and Afghan officials, including talks in Dubai this past January between Muttaqi and India’s Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri. In May, Jaishankar and Muttaqi also discussed avenues for deepening cooperation, particularly through trade routes using Iran as a transit corridor.
Jaishankar emphasized the resumption of discussions on Indian development projects in Afghanistan, stating, "Your invitation to Indian companies to explore mining opportunities in Afghanistan is also deeply appreciated."
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Before 2021, India had invested in over 500 projects across Afghanistan in critical sectors, including power, education, water infrastructure, and healthcare.
The reopening of the embassy and the revival of development talks suggest India is looking to reassert its presence in Afghanistan’s rebuilding process. Jaishankar’s remarks point toward a more structured engagement model that balances diplomacy with economic cooperation.
India’s move comes amid growing Chinese influence in Afghanistan, with Chinese firms investing in mining and infrastructure projects post-2021. Afghanistan’s geographic position, linking Central and South Asia, makes it a strategic priority for both Beijing and New Delhi. Meanwhile, Pakistan, long seen as a key player in Afghan affairs, is experiencing a downturn in its relationship with the government, providing India with an opening to reestablish its role.
