Days after the visit of Taliban administration’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, India has upgraded its Technical Mission in Kabul to an embassy, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced, stating that the change takes effect “with immediate effect.”
Key Highlights:
- Upgrade Decision: The decision followed a meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Mr. Muttaqi on October 10 at Hyderabad House, amid hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan along the Durand Line.
- Ceasefire Development: A ceasefire was later declared between Afghanistan and Pakistan, mediated by Qatar.
- Diplomatic Context: While multiple powers such as Iran, China, Russia, Gulf nations, and Central Asian republics engage with the Taliban, Russia remains the only country to have granted formal recognition to the Taliban as Afghanistan’s de jure rulers.
- Future Plans: Sources suggest it may take time before India appoints a formal ambassador to lead the embassy in Kabul.
- Background: India had closed its embassy and consulates in 2021 after the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul and the collapse of the Ashraf Ghani government. A technical team was later deployed on June 23, 2022, to manage humanitarian and consular assistance operations.
Source click here:
![](https://www.gstimes.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/MARCH-2024-GS-TIMES-1ADD.jpg")
