New Delhi.
India and Afghanistan have embarked on a new chapter in bilateral relations after New Delhi upgraded its Technical Mission in Kabul to the Embassy of India, inaugurating formal high-level talks between the two nations.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced, “I am pleased to announce today the upgrading of India’s Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of Embassy of India…” The discussions focused on trade, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian cooperation. The visit coincided with a Pakistan airstrike on Thursday night targeting Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) camps in Kabul.
This dialogue represents the highest-level engagement between India and Afghanistan since the Taliban took control in 2021. The move signals a shift in Delhi’s approach—from purely humanitarian outreach to structured diplomacy. Historically, India–Afghanistan relations were shaped by historical ties and security concerns. By upgrading its mission while maintaining humanitarian initiatives, New Delhi is signalling a pragmatic policy: constructive engagement with the Taliban-led government to safeguard India’s long-term security interests, rather than relying on isolation.
The careful diplomatic engagement reflects India’s intent to secure its regional interests in South Asia, strengthen connections with Central Asia, and bolster regional counter-terrorism mechanisms. Analysts note that this marks India’s first attempt to act as an active player in Afghanistan rather than a passive observer.
Following the Taliban takeover in 2021, India had quickly shut down its embassy and evacuated Indian citizens. However, experiences such as the IC 814 hijack underscored that complete disengagement was not feasible. Additionally, an isolationist stance risked driving Afghanistan closer to Pakistan and China. Upgrading cooperation now provides channels for intelligence sharing and protection of key projects, including the Salma Dam and Afghan parliamentary initiatives. Delhi recognises that influencing outcomes in Kabul from a distance is no longer practical.
Pakistan’s recent airstrikes underscore Islamabad’s growing concern over improving India–Afghanistan ties. Analysts suggest the attacks highlight a weakening of Pakistan’s influence in Kabul, long aimed at ensuring a “puppet regime” to secure its eastern and western borders. While Pakistan resorts to military measures, India is pursuing diplomatic engagement and reconstruction efforts, charting two divergent paths in the same regional landscape.
As India expands its diplomatic presence, deepening humanitarian aid, trade, and security dialogue, it is treading a delicate line between strategic engagement and moral restraint. Formal recognition of the Taliban remains unlikely—only Russia has taken that step so far. The visit of Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi carries symbolic significance as well, highlighted by his stops at the Taj Mahal and the Deoband seminary.
The coming months will reveal whether New Delhi’s diplomatic gamble translates into tangible influence or remains largely symbolic presence in Kabul.
