New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting with his visiting Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaki. During the meeting, Jaishankar made a big announcement that now the existing technical mission in Kabul will be given the status of an Indian embassy.
In August 2021, India closed its embassies and consulates in Afghanistan after the Taliban took control of the Afghan government. Subsequently, India re-established its diplomatic presence there in Afghanistan by sending a technical team in 2022. Now the embassy is being opened here again.
During the meeting with Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaki, Foreign Minister Dr. “””I am happy to announce today that India’s technical mission in Kabul has been upgraded to the level of the Indian Embassy,”” Jaishankar said.”
Jaishankar said India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan. During the meeting with Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaki, Foreign Minister Dr. S Jaishankar said that India and Afghanistan should coordinate efforts to combat terrorism.
Jaishankar said that India is a well-wisher of the people of Afghanistan and also has a keen interest in its development. Muttaki’s visit to India is an important step towards advancing relations between the two countries, he said.
This is the first high-level visit to India from Kabul by a Taliban government leader, four years after former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani stepped down and the Taliban took power. “During the meeting, Jaishankar said, “”We have a shared commitment towards development and prosperity.” However, the two countries face the threat of cross-border terrorism.
We must coordinate efforts to tackle all forms and manifestations of terrorism, he said. Jaishankar told Muttaki that he appreciated Afghanistan’s sensitivity to India’s security concerns. Kabul’s solidarity with India, especially after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, was remarkable. Jaishankar said during a bilateral meeting with Muttaki that they had the opportunity to talk to each other once after the Pahalgam terror attack and again after the Kunar and Nangarhar earthquakes. Indian relief materials were delivered to the earthquake sites within hours of the disaster last month. India would like to contribute to the reconstruction of dwellings in the affected areas, he said.
During the bilateral meeting, External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar told the foreign minister of Afghanistan that his invitation to Indian companies to explore mining opportunities in Afghanistan is also highly commendable. This can be discussed further. “””We have a shared interest in promoting trade and commerce,”” Jaishankar said.” “He said, “”He is happy to know that additional flights have started between Kabul and New Delhi.”
Muttaki will hold extensive talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval during his six-day visit to India, the PTI agency said. Afghanistan’s foreign minister was scheduled to visit New Delhi last month, but it was cancelled due to a travel ban imposed on him under United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions.
According to a United Nations statement, the UN Security Council committee approved a temporary relaxation in the travel ban by allowing Muttaki to travel to New Delhi from October 9 to 16 on September 30. The exemption paved the way for the Afghan foreign minister’s visit to India.
The United Nations Security Council imposed sanctions on all major Taliban leaders and required them to obtain travel clearance for foreign travel. Muttaki’s visit to India is expected to add a new dimension to India’s relations with the Taliban in Kabul. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had a telephone conversation with Muttaki on May 15.
