NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Friday announced India would upgrade the Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of embassy during the bilateral talks with Afghanistan 's foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
"I am pleased to announce today the upgrading of India’s Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of Embassy of India . India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan," Jaishankar said.
He further said: "Closer cooperation between us contributes to your national development, as well as regional stability and resilience. To enhance that, I am pleased to announce today the upgrading of India’s Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of Embassy of India."
Jaishankar also appreciated Afghanistan's invitation to Indian companies to explore mining opportunities in the Taliban-ruled nation.
"Your invitation to Indian companies to explore mining opportunities in Afghanistan is also deeply appreciated. This can be discussed further. We have a shared interest in boosting trade and commerce. I am glad to note the commencement of additional flights between Kabul and New Delhi," Jaishankar said during a bilateral meeting.
Afghanistan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said Kabul would increase its engagements and exchanges with New Delhi and would "not allow any group to use our territory against others".
"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.
He also called India a "close friend" for helping Afghanistan during the recent earthquake, saying Kabul wants "relations based on mutual respect, trade and people-to-people relations".
"In the recent earthquake in Afghanistan, India was the first responder. Afghanistan looks at India as a close friend. Afghanistan wants relations based on mutual respect, trade and people-to-people relations. We are ready to create a consultative mechanism of understanding, which helps towards strengthening our relations," Muttaqi said.
Strengthening bilateral ties
Jaishankar appreciated Afghanistan’s expression of solidarity following the Pahalgam terror attack and its sensitivity towards India’s security concerns.
In his remarks, the External Affairs Minister said, “Your visit marks an important step in advancing our ties and affirming the enduring friendship between India and Afghanistan.”
He recalled that they had spoken twice earlier — once after the Pahalgam terrorist attack and the second time after the Kunar and Nangarhar earthquake — and said that the in-person meeting “holds a special value in allowing to exchange perspectives, identify common interests and forge closer cooperation.”
Expanding health assistance
Reaffirming India’s commitment to Afghanistan’s development and welfare, Jaishankar noted, “India has long extended support for the health security of Afghanistan, including during the Covid pandemic. We are now ready to commit to six new projects, whose details can be announced after the conclusion of our talks. A gift of 20 ambulances is another gesture of good will and I would like to handover 5 of them to you personally as a symbolic step. India will also provide MRI and CT scan machines to Afghan hospitals and deliver vaccines for immunisation and cancer medicines. We have also supplied drug rehabilitation materials through UNODC and are open to doing more.”
Coordinating against terrorism
Addressing regional security concerns, the External Affairs Minister emphasized the need for closer cooperation against cross-border terrorism.
“Speaking about cross-border terrorism as a shared threat to the growth and prosperity of India and Afghanistan, Jaishankar underlined, ‘We must coordinate efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.’”
Continued humanitarian assistance
Jaishankar also announced that a new consignment of food assistance had arrived in Kabul. He highlighted India’s commitment to supporting Afghanistan’s recovery from natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
Among the commitments, he said, are aid for earthquake-hit areas, including the reconstruction of residences, and assistance for Afghan refugees forcibly repatriated, including building new homes and providing material support.
Muttaqi arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a week-long visit from October 9–16. His trip marks the first high-level delegation from Kabul to New Delhi since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021.
"I am pleased to announce today the upgrading of India’s Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of Embassy of India . India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan," Jaishankar said.
He further said: "Closer cooperation between us contributes to your national development, as well as regional stability and resilience. To enhance that, I am pleased to announce today the upgrading of India’s Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of Embassy of India."
Jaishankar also appreciated Afghanistan's invitation to Indian companies to explore mining opportunities in the Taliban-ruled nation.
"Your invitation to Indian companies to explore mining opportunities in Afghanistan is also deeply appreciated. This can be discussed further. We have a shared interest in boosting trade and commerce. I am glad to note the commencement of additional flights between Kabul and New Delhi," Jaishankar said during a bilateral meeting.
Afghanistan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said Kabul would increase its engagements and exchanges with New Delhi and would "not allow any group to use our territory against others".
"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.
He also called India a "close friend" for helping Afghanistan during the recent earthquake, saying Kabul wants "relations based on mutual respect, trade and people-to-people relations".
"In the recent earthquake in Afghanistan, India was the first responder. Afghanistan looks at India as a close friend. Afghanistan wants relations based on mutual respect, trade and people-to-people relations. We are ready to create a consultative mechanism of understanding, which helps towards strengthening our relations," Muttaqi said.
Strengthening bilateral ties
Jaishankar appreciated Afghanistan’s expression of solidarity following the Pahalgam terror attack and its sensitivity towards India’s security concerns.
In his remarks, the External Affairs Minister said, “Your visit marks an important step in advancing our ties and affirming the enduring friendship between India and Afghanistan.”
He recalled that they had spoken twice earlier — once after the Pahalgam terrorist attack and the second time after the Kunar and Nangarhar earthquake — and said that the in-person meeting “holds a special value in allowing to exchange perspectives, identify common interests and forge closer cooperation.”
Expanding health assistance
Reaffirming India’s commitment to Afghanistan’s development and welfare, Jaishankar noted, “India has long extended support for the health security of Afghanistan, including during the Covid pandemic. We are now ready to commit to six new projects, whose details can be announced after the conclusion of our talks. A gift of 20 ambulances is another gesture of good will and I would like to handover 5 of them to you personally as a symbolic step. India will also provide MRI and CT scan machines to Afghan hospitals and deliver vaccines for immunisation and cancer medicines. We have also supplied drug rehabilitation materials through UNODC and are open to doing more.”
Coordinating against terrorism
Addressing regional security concerns, the External Affairs Minister emphasized the need for closer cooperation against cross-border terrorism.
“Speaking about cross-border terrorism as a shared threat to the growth and prosperity of India and Afghanistan, Jaishankar underlined, ‘We must coordinate efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.’”
Continued humanitarian assistance
Jaishankar also announced that a new consignment of food assistance had arrived in Kabul. He highlighted India’s commitment to supporting Afghanistan’s recovery from natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
Among the commitments, he said, are aid for earthquake-hit areas, including the reconstruction of residences, and assistance for Afghan refugees forcibly repatriated, including building new homes and providing material support.
Muttaqi arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a week-long visit from October 9–16. His trip marks the first high-level delegation from Kabul to New Delhi since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021.
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