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**Summary:**

India is upgrading its technical mission in Kabul to a full embassy, signaling closer ties with the Taliban-led Afghanistan. This decision, announced by India’s Foreign Minister after meeting his Afghan counterpart, Amir Khan Muttaqi, marks a significant shift in India’s engagement with Afghanistan since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. India aims to support Afghanistan’s development, counter regional rivals like Pakistan and China, and avoid previous strategic pitfalls of non-engagement. The move follows a series of diplomatic exchanges, including Muttaqi’s visit to India and participation in the Moscow format consultations. Despite concerns about the Taliban’s policies, India sees engagement as crucial for regional stability and to exert influence in Afghanistan.

**News Article:**

**India Upgrades Kabul Mission to Embassy, Deepening Ties with Taliban-Ruled Afghanistan**

**Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.**

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — India is upgrading its technical mission in Kabul to a full embassy, marking a significant deepening of ties with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, India’s foreign minister announced Friday. The announcement, made after a meeting between Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi, represents the highest-level diplomatic engagement between the two countries since the Taliban seized power in 2021.

Jaishankar affirmed India’s commitment to Afghanistan’s development, pledging support for sectors including trade, health, and education. He emphasized India’s respect for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Closer cooperation between us contributes to your national development, as well as regional stability and resilience,” Jaishankar said during a joint press briefing with Muttaqi.

Muttaqi, who is under U.N. sanctions, expressed Kabul’s desire for “good relations with India.” His visit was facilitated by a temporary travel exemption granted by the U.N. Security Council Committee. Muttaqi recently participated in international talks on Afghanistan in Moscow.

Analysts see India’s move as strategically motivated, aimed at countering the influence of regional rivals Pakistan and China, both of whom have deepened their involvement in Afghanistan. India’s engagement also reflects a reassessment of its previous policy of non-engagement, which was seen as detrimental to its strategic interests.

“New Delhi views the world through the prism of its rivalry with either China, Pakistan, or both,” said Praveen Donthi, senior analyst with the International Crisis Group.

While India maintained a technical mission in Kabul focused on humanitarian aid after the Taliban takeover, the upgrade to a full embassy signals a more robust commitment. The decision comes despite concerns about the Taliban’s restrictions on women and human rights.

Gautam Mukhopadhaya, former Indian ambassador to Kabul, cautioned that India should avoid legitimizing the Taliban’s rule. “Should preserve some levers to enable positive change internally for the benefit of all Afghans,” he stated.

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