India has upgraded its Technical Mission in Kabul back to a full embassy. This move marks a major step in New Delhi’s renewed diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the decision on Tuesday. “In keeping with the decision announced during the recent visit of the Afghan Foreign Minister to India, the Government is restoring the status of the Technical Mission of India in Kabul to that of Embassy of India in Afghanistan with immediate effect," the MEA said in its statement.

Embassy Closed Since 2021

India’s embassy had been shut since 2021 after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. The recent decision follows the visit of Taliban’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, to New Delhi earlier this month.

Last week, India signalled its intent to strengthen ties with Kabul by confirming the reopening of its embassy.

Strengthening Bilateral Relations

According to the MEA, this step reflects India’s strong commitment to deepen cooperation with Afghanistan in areas of shared interest. “This decision underscores India’s resolve to deepen its bilateral engagement with the Afghan side in all spheres of mutual interest. The Embassy of India 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," the statement added.

Focus on Security and Cooperation

The final decision was made after talks between Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Muttaqi and India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi. The meeting focused on the safety of Indian diplomats and the security of the mission.

Muttaqi has earlier assured that the Taliban administration would ensure the protection of Indian missions. Speaking to News18 in a 2022 interview, he said, “I believe that the relations between Afghanistan and India will be strengthened in the near future. Their embassy would function in our country and our embassy would function in their country."

He added, “India and Afghanistan are nearby countries in the region and we should have economic, political and diplomatic relations with each other which would be beneficial to both."

Renewed Diplomatic Momentum

By restoring its full-fledged embassy, India signals a more pragmatic approach to engage with Afghanistan’s current rulers. The move highlights New Delhi’s intent to play a role in Afghanistan’s reconstruction, humanitarian aid, and regional stability.