Indian embassy in Kabul reopens; technical relief team deployed post-earthquake

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the resumption of diplomatic relations with Afghanistan by reopening its embassy in Kabul, ten months after its officials were pulled out following the Taliban take over of power. The Ministry on Thursday said that a technical team has reached Kabul and will be deployed to the Indian embassy.

The embassy was reopened three weeks after a team led by MEA's point person for Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran, JP Singh arrived in Kabul and held discussions with acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi and others leaders of the Taliban.

"In order to closely monitor and coordinate the efforts of various stakeholders for the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance and in continuation of our engagement with the Afghan people, an Indian technical team has reached Kabul today and has been deployed in our embassy there," the Ministry of External Affairs said.

"Recently, another Indian team visited Kabul to oversee the delivery operations of our humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and met with senior members of the Taliban," it said, about the Indian team's visit to Kabul led by Singh. The MEA added that an assessment of security was also carried out during that visit.

"Our longstanding links with Afghan society and our development partnership including humanitarian assistance for the people of Afghanistan will continue to guide our approach going forward," the MEA said. They also said that a historical and civilisational relationship has always been upheld by the nation with the people of Afghanistan. The MEA assured that the embassy was not shut and that the local staff had continued to function at the mission.

With PTI inputs