Summary
India will reopen its embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, which was closed in 2021. This decision marks India's first high-level diplomatic engagement with the Taliban government since they took power. India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar discussed the move with Afghanistan’s Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
Key Facts
- India plans to upgrade its technical mission in Kabul to a complete embassy.
- The embassy was closed in 2021 after the Taliban gained control of Afghanistan, following the U.S. military withdrawal.
- Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar announced the reopening after talks in New Delhi.
- India and the Taliban are looking at cooperation in areas like trade, mining, and regional stability.
- Female journalists were barred from a joint news briefing, reflecting ongoing restrictions on women's rights in Afghanistan under the Taliban.
- The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Taliban leaders over gender-based persecution accusations.
- Despite multiple countries having embassies in Kabul, only Russia officially recognizes the Taliban government.
- During the Taliban's previous rule, India did not recognize or engage with the Taliban government.
