The Government of India has officially announced the elevation of its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan. The technical mission in Kabul has been upgraded to a full-fledged embassy, effective immediately, Live Hindustan reports.

The decision follows the official visit of Afghanistan’s Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to India from October 9–15, 2025.

India had maintained a limited presence in Afghanistan for some time. After the Taliban came to power in August 2021, India’s embassy in Kabul was closed, and since June 2022, only a technical mission has been operating in the city.

The upgrade signals New Delhi’s intent to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Afghanistan, including humanitarian aid, development, and the enhancement of construction and infrastructure initiatives.

At the same time, India emphasizes that the embassy’s upgrade does not amount to formal recognition of the Taliban regime. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the new status of the diplomatic mission “reflects India’s determination to deepen bilateral cooperation across all areas of mutual interest with Afghanistan.”

Strategic considerations played a key role in the decision, including the growing influence of neighboring countries, the need to ensure regional stability, and the expansion of India’s diplomatic footprint.