New Delhi: India on Tuesday announced that it is restoring its Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of the Embassy of India in Afghanistan, a move aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and marking the first full diplomatic presence in Afghanistan after four years.

The announcement follows External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s statement during his bilateral meeting with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, who was on a six-day visit to India to enhance cooperation between the two countries.

“In keeping with the decision announced during the recent visit of the Afghan Foreign Minister to India, the Government is restoring the status of the Technical Mission of India in Kabul to that of Embassy of India in Afghanistan with immediate effect,” the government said.

“India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan. 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 said in his opening remarks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

He also announced a series of development and humanitarian initiatives, including six new projects in Afghanistan, adding that the details of these projects are expected to be finalised soon.

Since 2021, India has maintained limited engagement through its Technical Mission, focusing primarily on humanitarian assistance, including food aid, medical supplies, and support for education and infrastructure. The reopening of the embassy is seen as a step to expand cooperation in trade, healthcare, and cultural exchange.