The Indian Embassy is Opening Soon in Kabul

The Indian Foreign Ministry confirmed that India will soon open its embassy in Kabul, which was closed four years ago.

Reopening of the Indian embassy in Kabul:

In 2021, the Taliban seized power following the withdrawal of the US-NATO forces, due to which India had closed its embassy in Kabul. After a year, India has opened its gates for trade, humanitarian aid, and medical support. Russia was the only country that then formally accepted the Taliban regime.

Since 2021, there has been no visit by the Taliban to India. It is the first time that Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has met with Jaishankar. After their meet-up, India announced the opening of the Indian embassy in Kabul.  

To initiate the conversation, Jaishankar cleared that India respects Afghanistan’s independence and territorial integrity. He said, “India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Afghanistan. Closer cooperation between us contributes to your national development, as well as regional stability and resilience.”

He also stressed the cooperation between Afghanistan and India to prosper in every field. Jaishankar said that the mutual bond between the two nations would be helpful in regional stability and resilience.

India-Afghan bilateral ties: 

According to the report, Jaishankar said, “As a contiguous neighbour and a well-wisher of the Afghan people, India has a deep interest in your development and progress.” 

The Afghan minister said that India was the first country who quickly respond to the recent earthquake in Afghanistan. He, however, said that Afghanistan wants to see positive bilateral ties with India. Moreover, he has also shown his interest in trade deals with India.

He said, “Afghanistan looks at India as a close friend. Afghanistan wants relations based on mutual respect, trade, and people-to-people relations.”

It is worth noting that India has not officially accepted the Taliban regime. Still, it has put forward its steps or initiate ties with Afghanistan by meeting with their foreign ministries. 

Muttaqi visited India. His visit comes after Muttaqi’s visit Moscow, where Afghanistan’s neighbours issued a joint statement to oppose the deployment of foreign military infrastructure in the region. Pakistan, Iran, China, and several Central Asian countries opposed Trump’s mission to take control of the Bagram military base near Kabul.