India Considers Enhancing Embassy Activities in Kabul
India is currently reviewing the upgrade of its embassy activities in Kabul, according to a spokesperson from the Ministry of External Affairs. The spokesperson stated that New Delhi is assessing the structure, responsibilities, and capacity enhancement of its diplomatic staff in Kabul, with final details to be announced following the completion of the assessments. He refrained from commenting on the potential recognition of the Taliban administration by India.
Randeep Jaiswal, speaking at a press conference on Friday, November 6, added that following the visit of Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s acting foreign minister, to India, there has been an increase in contacts and exchanges in the field of developmental cooperation between the two sides.
According to him, telephone discussions have also taken place between the Indian foreign minister and officials of the Taliban administration. However, he did not respond to a journalist’s inquiry regarding the possibility of sending a Taliban diplomat at the ambassadorial level to India or changing Afghanistan’s flag to that of the Taliban.
He confirmed that India’s mission in Kabul has been elevated to the level of an embassy, and the related arrangements are underway. This is not the first time New Delhi has publicly discussed expanding its relations with the Taliban administration.
In recent weeks, signs of increased interaction between India and the Taliban administration have been evident, with visits from Taliban delegations to New Delhi, including officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the presence of Amir Khan Muttaqi, reflecting the strengthening of this connection.
Earlier this year, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs announced plans to upgrade its technical office in Kabul to an embassy level. According to Indian officials, this move stems from India’s decision to solidify bilateral relations with the Taliban administration.
These developments come amid unprecedented tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan, suggesting that New Delhi may be seeking to enhance its presence and influence in Afghanistan by exploiting this rift—an evolution that could have serious implications for the future of the region.
