After India Upgrades Technical Mission In Kabul To Embassy, Taliban To Appoint First Diplomat In Delhi

India and Afghanistan appear to be entering a cautious yet forward-looking phase in their diplomatic relationship. Following Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s landmark visit to New Delhi, the two sides have begun taking concrete steps toward restoring full diplomatic engagement, a first since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

This renewed warmth comes despite India’s continued stance of non-recognition of the Taliban regime, underscoring New Delhi’s pragmatic approach focused on regional stability and humanitarian cooperation.

Less than a month back, Taliban’s Foreign Minister Muttaqi was on a six-day visit to India, during which he met External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar. After their meeting, the EAM announced reopening of Indian Embassy in Kabul. Now, Afghanistan has reciprocated with a diplomatic announcement, quite literally.

Taliban’s first diplomat in India soon?

In a major development, the Taliban regime is set to appoint its first diplomat in India this month, with another expected by late December or early January, according to a Times of India report. This will mark the first formal diplomatic presence of the Taliban in New Delhi since their takeover of Kabul.

The move follows Kabul’s communication to Indian authorities and signals a gradual normalisation of engagement between the two governments.

During Muttaqi’s visit, India announced that it would upgrade its technical mission in Kabul to the level of an embassy, allowing for enhanced coordination on aid, consular, and developmental matters. Both sides are soon expected to have chargé d’affaires heading their respective missions, a significant step toward restoring official channels that had been frozen since August 2021.

Despite the political complexities, India has maintained its humanitarian lifeline to Afghanistan, sending food grains, vaccines, and essential medicines. Recently, India donated over 16 tonnes of anti-vector-borne disease medicines, a gesture that drew public appreciation from Taliban spokespersons.

“This latest donation underscores India’s longstanding partnership and developmental support to Afghanistan,” the spokesperson said, calling India a reliable partner in promoting health, stability, and humanitarian cooperation in the region.

Muttaqi’s visit: Symbolism, strategy or something more?

Muttaqi’s visit was unprecedented, marking the highest-level contact between the Taliban and India since the fall of the previous Afghan government. His meetings in Delhi were marked by a strong message of cooperation and mutual respect. The visit also carried symbolic weight as the Taliban publicly backed India’s sovereignty over Jammu and Kashmir.

Taliban FM Muttaqi’s visit also came against the backdrop of growing friction between Kabul and Islamabad. The Taliban has accused Pakistan of attempting to create instability to pave the way for a possible US return to Bagram Air Base, further deepening the mistrust between the two neighbours.

India, meanwhile, has reaffirmed its support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, aligning with Kabul’s stance as both nations navigate a shifting regional power balance.