New Delhi has maintained a series of diplomatic engagements and ministerial visits with Afghanistan over the past year, according to Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, marking a steady evolution in bilateral ties as the Taliban administration in Kabul approaches five years in power.
Speaking at a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Jaiswal noted that interactions between the two sides have steadily expanded. “We had several visits from Afghanistan to India, and these have led to the strengthening of partnership in several areas, including development, cooperation, trade, and connectivity,” Jaiswal said, adding that India possesses “long-standing ties with Afghanistan” and looks forward to further bolstering the relationship.
Diplomatic Presence and Evolution of Ties
India’s diplomatic footprint in Kabul has shifted gradually since the abrupt withdrawal of its officials in August 2021, when the Taliban regained control of the country following the collapse of the Western-backed government and the exit of United States troops. By June 2022, New Delhi re-established a physical diplomatic presence in the Afghan capital by deploying a technical team. That engagement expanded further in October of the following year, when India upgraded its technical mission in Kabul to the status of an embassy.
Despite these incremental upgrades and ongoing ministerial visits, India has not yet officially recognized the Taliban administration. Specifically, Indian authorities have repeatedly stressed the importance of establishing a truly inclusive government in Kabul and have insisted that Afghan territory must not serve as a staging ground for terrorist activities directed against any nation.
Upcoming Events and Regional Context
The diplomatic exchanges occur as the Taliban-led setup in Kabul marks five years since taking power on August 15, 2021. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Afghan embassy in New Delhi is planning to host an event to observe the anniversary.
During the same media briefing, Jaiswal also addressed India’s diplomatic posture toward neighboring Nepal, characterizing that relationship as strong, warm, and historical in nature. While emphasizing unique people-to-people ties between New Delhi and Kathmandu, he acknowledged that multifaceted partnerships naturally encounter issues that require direct bilateral discussion.
