India to reopen embassy in Kabul, Jaishankar tells Taliban FM

India has restored diplomatic ties with Afghanistan, upgrading its mission in Kabul to full embassy status, and will reopen it in the Afghan capital soon, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told Taliban-ruled Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Friday, reported Indian media.

Muttaqi is visiting India after getting UN Security Council approval from October 9 to 16. He met Indian miniser Jaishankar on Friday, and will visit Agra and Deoband seminary over the coming days. He will also meet the Afghan community members in India.

This is the first time a Taliban foreign minister has visited India. It is one of the seismic events in the country’s foreign policy where New Delhi is nuancing its position on the Taliban.

Welcoming Muttaqi and his delegation, Jaishankar said, “We welcome you and your delegation to India. This visit marks a step in advancing our ties. We had opportunities to speak with each other during the Pahalgam attack and earthquakes in Afghanistan."

"Meeting in person has special value in changing perspectives and sharing interests. As a contiguous neighbour and a well-wisher of the Afghan people, India has a deep interest in your development and progress,” he added.

Amid this renewed engagement, Jaishankar announced that India will reopen its embassy in Kabul, marking a major diplomatic step towards strengthening bilateral ties with the Taliban-ruled administration.

“India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan. Closer cooperation between us contributes to your national development, as well as regional stability and resilience. To enhance that, I am pleased to announce today the upgrading of India’s Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of the Embassy of India," Jaishankar said.

Muttaqi, who is among several Taliban leaders under UN sanctions, arrived in New Delhi on Thursday after receiving a temporary travel exemption from the UN Security Council Committee. His visit comes shortly after he attended an international conference on Afghanistan in Russia, which included representatives from India, China, Pakistan, Iran and Central Asian nations.

Jaishankar also reaffirmed New Delhi’s commitment to Afghanistan’s stability, emphasising that India has a “deep interest" in the country’s development and progress. He said that both nations share a common commitment to growth and prosperity in the region.

The Indian minister also highlighted the importance of joint efforts to tackle terrorism, noting that “these shared goals are endangered by the threat of cross-border terrorism that both our nations face."

Stressing the need for greater cooperation, Jaishankar said, “We must coordinate efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations." He also expressed appreciation for Afghanistan’s sensitivity toward India’s security concerns and its solidarity following the Pahalgam attack.

Jaishankar also appreciated Afghanistan's invitation to Indian companies to explore mining opportunities in the Taliban-ruled nation. "Your invitation to Indian companies to explore mining opportunities in Afghanistan is also deeply appreciated. This can be discussed further. We have a shared interest in boosting trade and commerce. I am glad to note the commencement of additional flights between Kabul and New Delhi," Jaishankar said during the bilateral meeting.

Amir Khan Muttaqi said Kabul would increase its engagements and exchanges with New Delhi and would "not allow any group to use our territory against others". "I am happy to be in Delhi, and this visit will increase the understanding between the two countries. India and Afghanistan should increase their engagements and exchanges...We will not allow any group to use our territory against others," Muttaqi said.

VIDEO | Delhi: In his bilateral meeting with EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar, Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi says,

"I am happy to meet you here in Delhi. We have a long civilisational and people-to-people ties for centuries, and it is not limited to geography but extends… pic.twitter.com/zSXhr2wp3o

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 10, 2025