India Announces The Reopening of Its Embassy in Kabul
Tawazon – According to The Statesman, on Friday, October 10, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s Foreign Minister, announced after meeting with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister of the Taliban government, that India will upgrade its Technical Mission in Kabul to a full embassy.
Jaishankar emphasized India’s commitment to Afghanistan’s national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence and stated:
“Closer cooperation between two countries can contribute to national development, regional stability, and enhance the capabilities of both nations. I am pleased to announce today that India’s Technical Mission in Kabul has now been elevated to the Embassy of the Republic of India.”
He further mentioned that India is eager to expand its cooperation in humanitarian assistance, trade, education, and development with Afghanistan.
On the other hand, Amir Khan Muttaqi welcomed India’s decision and stated: “In the recent earthquake in Afghanistan, India was the first country to provide assistance. Afghanistan views India as a close friend. We seek relations based on mutual respect, trade, and people to people interactions.”
Muttaqi added that the Taliban is ready to establish a “consultative mechanism” with India to strengthen bilateral relations and emphasized: “Afghanistan will not allow any group to use its soil against others.”
This meeting comes amid reports of Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul, targeting positions related to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Sources say that Noor Wali Mehsud, the leader of TTP, was the primary target of these strikes.
These reports followed recent statements by Khawaja Asif, Pakistan’s Defense Minister, who accused the Taliban government of facilitating “terrorism from its soil.”
