India has not officially recognized the Taliban administration in Kabul, but in recent months, it has permitted the appointment of a new Consul General by the Kabul administration at the Afghan Consulate in Mumbai.
In a significant diplomatic move, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the Taliban’s ‘Foreign Minister’ Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai on January 8, 2025, marking the highest-level engagement with Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers. During the meeting, both sides agreed to promote the use of Iran’s Chabahar port for trade, with India committing to provide “additional material support” in areas such as refugee rehabilitation and healthcare.
“In response to the Afghan side’s request, India will initially offer further material assistance to the health sector and support for refugee rehabilitation. Additionally, the two sides discussed enhancing sports cooperation, particularly in cricket,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated following the meeting.
The MEA also highlighted the agreement to utilize the Chabahar port for trade and humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan. This meeting between Mr. Misri and Mr. Muttaqi occurred just days after India “unequivocally condemned” the bombing of Afghan territories by Pakistan on December 24-25.
Although India has not officially recognized the Taliban administration, it recently allowed the appointment of a new Consul General at the Afghan Consulate in Mumbai. India’s embassy in Kabul was shut in August 2021, with relations maintained through a ‘technical team’ stationed at the embassy.
Over the past three and a half years, India has engaged in multiple discussions with Taliban representatives. Notably, in November, Joint Secretary J.P. Singh visited Kabul and met with the Taliban’s ‘Defence Minister’ Molvi Muhammad Yaqoob Mujahid.
The MEA noted that the delegations reviewed India’s ongoing humanitarian assistance program, with the Afghan Minister expressing gratitude for India’s continued support. It was decided that India would consider participating in future development projects alongside its current humanitarian aid efforts.
Since 2021, India’s policy toward Afghanistan has been guided by humanitarian considerations, delivering 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat, 300 tonnes of medicines, 27 tonnes of earthquake relief supplies, COVID-19 vaccines, and other medical items.
