India on Friday announced the upgrading of its technical mission in Kabul to the status of an embassy and decided to restart its development projects in Afghanistan with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar appreciating the Taliban set-up for showing sensitivity towards New Delhi’s security concerns.Jaishankar made the twin announcements during his wide-ranging talks with visiting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi for the first time, signalling a new approach in New Delhi’s ties with Kabul though it has not yet recognised the Taliban set up that came to power in August, 2021.
Muttaq, on a six-day trip to India, said Afghanistan will not allow any elements to use its territory against New Delhi’s interests and identified the Daesh terror group (ISIS) as the main challenge for the region. He added that Kabul is at the frontlines of this struggle.
Since the Taliban came to power, New Delhi has been insisting that Afghan soil must not be used for any terrorist activities against any country.
The Afghan foreign minister also invited Indian companies to invest in the mining and mineral sector in his country, saying it would help strengthen the bilateral trade relations.