India upgrades Kabul outpost to full Embassy without recognising Taliban

India has upgraded its technical mission in Kabul to a full-fledged Embassy of India, restoring a comprehensive diplomatic presence in Afghanistan for the first time since August 2021.

- BY S VENKAT NARAYAN

However, it reiterated that the step does not constitute diplomatic recognition of the Taliban authorities.

The decision follows recent high-level contacts in New Delhi with Taliban acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, and is aimed at deepening engagement on humanitarian relief, development projects and trade facilitation.

Announcing the move, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday that the Embassy will “augment India’s contribution to Afghanistan’s comprehensive development, humanitarian assistance and capacity-building initiatives” in line with Afghan people’s priorities.

Indian officials emphasised that New Delhi's longstanding position—linking formal recognition to inclusive governance and respect for the rights of women, minorities and girls’ education—remains unchanged.

India had reopened a limited "technical team" at its Kabul premises in mid-2022 to coordinate aid deliveries after evacuating staff during the 2021 takeover.