Following talks with visiting Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Friday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced that India’s Technical Mission in Kabul will be upgraded to a full-fledged Embassy of India.
Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to Afghanistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence, adding that closer cooperation between the two nations will bolster national development, regional stability, and resilience.
“To enhance that, I am pleased to announce today the upgrading of India’s Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of Embassy of India,” he said.
Meanwhile, Afghan FM Muttaqi said, “In the recent earthquake in Afghanistan, India was the first responder. Afghanistan looks at India as a close friend. Afghanistan wants relations based on mutual respect, trade and people-to-people relations. We are ready to create a consultative mechanism of understanding, which helps towards strengthening our relations.”
“I am happy to be in Delhi, and this visit will increase the understanding between the two countries. India and Afghanistan should increase their engagements and exchanges…We will not allow any group to use our territory against others.” he added.
The meeting between the foreign ministers of India and Afghanistan came in the backdrop of reported Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul, aimed at Tehreek-e-Taliban-linked targets. Reports indicated that TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud was the primary target.
The reported strikes come after statements by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, alleging that the Afghan government is aiding terrorism from Afghan soil.
Jaishankar disclosed a series of development and humanitarian initiatives, comprising of six new development projects to Afghanistan, details of which he said will be declared after the talks.
Speaking about cross-border terrorism as a shared threat to the growth and prosperity of India and Afghanistan, Jaishankar underscored, “We must coordinate efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.” “Continued food assistance, with a new consignment arriving in Kabul today,” he said.
Afghanistan’s foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi reached New Delhi on Thursday on a week-long visit to India. Muttaqi’s visit from October 9-16, symbolized the first high-level delegation from Kabul to New Delhi since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021.
Zia Ahmad Takal, head of public relations at the Afghanistan Foreign Ministry was cited by Tolo News as saying that the visit would see “expanding relations between Kabul and New Delhi.
The United Nations Security Council has ratified a temporary exemption on international travel restrictions for Muttaqi, allowing him to stay in India for a week beginning October 9.
During the bilateral meeting on Friday, India lauded the invitation of Afghanistan for exploring mining opportunities in the country, signalling that it can be discussed further.