In a significant diplomatic development, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister in a high-level meeting that underscored India’s continued commitment to regional stability and counterterrorism cooperation. During the talks, Jaishankar announced plans to upgrade the Indian Embassy in Kabul, signaling a cautious but strategic re-engagement with Afghanistan amid persistent security and humanitarian challenges.
Speaking after the meeting, Jaishankar emphasized the shared responsibility of nations in combating terrorism and extremism, which continue to threaten peace in South Asia and beyond. “We must fight terrorism together. The safety, security, and stability of Afghanistan are vital for the entire region,” he stated. His remarks reflected India’s consistent position that terrorism, irrespective of its source or justification, poses a global danger requiring coordinated international action.
The Afghan Foreign Minister, in turn, expressed gratitude for India’s continued support in humanitarian aid, education, and infrastructure. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring that Afghan soil would not be used for terrorist activities targeting any country. The meeting marked one of the most direct diplomatic engagements between the two countries since the political changes in Kabul in 2021, following the Taliban’s return to power.
Jaishankar’s announcement about upgrading the Indian Embassy in Kabul carries both symbolic and practical significance. India had drastically scaled down its diplomatic presence in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover, citing security concerns. However, over the past two years, New Delhi has cautiously reopened channels for limited consular and humanitarian work. The embassy upgrade will now allow for expanded diplomatic functions, consular services, and developmental engagement with the Afghan people.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, India plans to enhance its diplomatic infrastructure in Kabul by deploying additional technical and administrative personnel, focusing on humanitarian assistance, education, and healthcare projects. The decision reflects India’s intention to maintain people-to-people ties while continuing to monitor the evolving political situation closely.
India has historically been one of Afghanistan’s key development partners, having invested over $3 billion in infrastructure, education, and health projects, including the construction of the Afghan Parliament building and the Salma Dam. The renewed engagement is expected to revive several stalled projects and humanitarian programs, providing much-needed relief to Afghan citizens struggling with economic hardship and isolation.
The meeting also focused on regional security, especially the growing threat from terror networks operating across Afghanistan’s borders. Both sides discussed the need for intelligence cooperation and multilateral efforts to prevent extremist groups from destabilizing the region. Jaishankar reiterated that India remains committed to a peaceful, inclusive, and sovereign Afghanistan—one that does not become a breeding ground for terrorism.
Diplomatic analysts view this meeting as part of India’s pragmatic foreign policy shift, balancing security concerns with the necessity of maintaining influence in Afghanistan’s future trajectory. While New Delhi has not officially recognized the Taliban regime, its approach has been to engage on specific humanitarian and security issues without conferring political legitimacy.
As global attention gradually shifts from Afghanistan, India’s decision to reinforce its presence in Kabul underscores its recognition of Afghanistan’s strategic importance. The move is also seen as a message to regional players—including China and Pakistan—that India remains an active stakeholder in the stability of its neighborhood.
Jaishankar’s statement—“We must fight terrorism together”—resonates as both a warning and an appeal. It highlights India’s long-held belief that the fight against extremism cannot be selective or fragmented. As the two nations move toward renewed cooperation, the hope is that this partnership will contribute not only to Afghanistan’s recovery but also to a more secure and peaceful South Asia.
