India has restored full diplomatic relations with Afghanistan and will upgrade its Technical Mission in Kabul to an Embassy, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Friday morning, with his Afghani counterpart, Amir Khan Muttaqi, by his side.
“India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Afghanistan. I am pleased to announce the upgrading of India’s Technical Mission to status of Embassy’,” Jaishankar said.
The minister spoke about a “deep interest” in Afghanistan’s development and progress, pointing to many existing India-backed projects in that country, and committed to six more.
He also referred to India’s “extended support” for the health of the Afghan people, particularly during the COVID pandemic, and offered a gift of 20 ambulances as a “goodwill gesture”, and also a supply of high-tech medical equipment, vaccines, and cancer medications.
The embassy in Kabul had been downgraded four years ago, and consulate offices in smaller cities closed, amid fighting between the Taliban and the then-Afghani government.
Muttaqi, meanwhile, lavished praise on India in, and after, his meeting with Jaishankar, recalling swift support after the devastating earthquake on August 31.
“I am happy to be in Delhi, and this visit will increase the understanding between the two countries. India and Afghanistan should increase their engagements and exchanges… we will not allow any group to use our territory against others,” Muttaqi said.
