'Important Step In Advancing Our Ties': EAM Jaishankar On Afghanistan Counterpart's Week-Long Visit To New Delhi

New Delhi: In a significant diplomatic move, India on Friday announced upgrading of its Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of the Embassy of India to enhance ties with Afghanistan and further contribute to its national development, as well as regional stability and resilience.

The announcement was made by India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during bilateral talks with visiting Afghanistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi and his delegation.

"India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan... I am pleased to announce today the upgrading of India's Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of Embassy of India," Jaishankar said during his opening remarks.

Jaishankar welcomed Muttaqi and his delegation at the Hyderabad House in the national capital and affirmed the enduring friendship between India and Afghanistan. He unveiled a series of development and humanitarian initiatives, including a commitment to six new development projects to Afghanistan, details of which he said will be announced after the talks.

Jaishankar also appreciated the solidarity by Afghanistan in wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Afghanistan's sensitivity towards India's security concerns. In his remarks the Union Minister said, "Your visit marks an important step in advancing our ties and affirming the enduring friendship between India and Afghanistan."

EAM Jaishankar said that the in-person meeting holds a special value in allowing to exchange perspectives, identify common interests and forge closer cooperation. "We have had opportunities to speak to each other, once after the Pahalgam terrorist attack and the second time, after the Kunar and Nangarhar earthquake. However, a meeting between us in person has a special value in allowing us to exchange perspectives, identify common interests and forge closer cooperation," he noted.

Further, he stated affirmed that India has a deep interest in development and progress of Afghanistan. "Today, I reaffirm that our longstanding partnership that has seen so many Indian projects in Afghanistan stands renewed. We can discuss the maintenance and repairs of finished projects as well as steps to complete others to which we have already committed. Beyond that, other development priorities of Afghanistan can be discussed by our teams," EAM Jaishankar said.

"India has long extended support for the health security of Afghanistan, including during the Covid pandemic. We are now ready to commit to six new projects, whose details can be announced after the conclusion of our talks. A gift of 20 ambulances is another gesture of good will and I would like to handover 5 of them to you personally as a symbolic step.

India will also provide MRI and CT scan machines to Afghan hospitals and deliver vaccines for immunisation and cancer medicines. We have also supplied drug rehabilitation materials through UNODC and are open to doing more, Jaishankar said.

Speaking about cross-border terrorism as a shared threat to the growth and prosperity of India and Afghanistan, Jaishankar underlined, "We must coordinate efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations."

Among the committments include aid for earthquake-hit areas, including reconstruction of residences and assistance for Afghan refugees forcibly repatriated, including building new homes and material support. Afghanistan's foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived in New Delhi on Thursday on a week-long visit to India.

India has also been a significant provider of food assistance to the Afghan people. A further consignment will be delivered in Kabul today, Jaishankar said.

He further expressed concerns over the plight of forcibly repatriated Afghan refugees. "It is a matter of deep concern. Their dignity and livelihood is important. India agrees to help construct residences for them and continue providing material aid to rebuild their lives," he mentioned.

During the meeting, Jaishankar also highlighted the "productive history" of cooperating on water management and irrigation between the two nations. "We note the interest on the Afghan side in taking this further and are ready to collaborate on the sustainable management of its water resources," he added.

Notably, Muttaqi's visit from October 9-16 marks the first high-level delegation from Kabul to New Delhi since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021.

Zia Ahmad Takal, head of public relations at the Afghanistan Foreign Ministry was cited by Tolo News as saying that during the visit would see "expanding relations between Kabul and New Delhi."

The United Nations Security Council has approved a temporary exemption on international travel restrictions for Muttaqi, allowing him to stay in India for a week beginning October 9.

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