India upgrades Technical Mission in Kabul to embassy

• The Indian government restored the status of the Technical Mission of India in Kabul to that of the embassy of India in Afghanistan on October 21. 

• The announcement came days after Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar said during his meeting with Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi that India will upgrade its diplomatic presence in Kabul.

• India had withdrawn its officials from its embassy in Kabul after the Taliban seized power in August 2021. 

• In June 2022, India re-established its diplomatic presence in the Afghan capital by deploying a “technical team”.

• The Ministry of External Affairs said the decision underscores India’s resolve to deepen its bilateral engagement with the Afghan side in “all spheres of mutual interest”.

• The embassy in Kabul will further augment India’s contribution to Afghanistan’s comprehensive development, humanitarian assistance, and capacity-building initiatives, in keeping with the priorities and aspirations of Afghan society.