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Taliban To Appoint First Diplomat In Delhi This Month
The Taliban government has decided to appoint its first diplomat to India later this month, marking a significant step in bilateral engagement between the two neighbours. The diplomat will be based in New Delhi, and a second diplomat might follow in late December or early January, according to discussions between the two sides.
What This Means
India and Afghanistan have maintained a technical mission in New Delhi, but this appointment would be the first such posting by the Taliban-led government in India since it took control of Kabul in 2021. India meanwhile has upgraded its mission in Kabul to a full embassy-level representation, though it has not formally recognised the Taliban regime.
Strategic Importance
The move signals a measured thaw in relations, as both nations seek to expand trade, development and humanitarian cooperation. India has long been a donor and partner for Afghanistan’s reconstruction and views improved engagement as a way to safeguard its interests in the region. The Taliban, for its part, appears keen to secure wider diplomatic engagement even as many countries continue to withhold formal recognition.
Caveats
While the diplomat’s posting is notable, official recognition of the Taliban regime by India remains unlikely for now. India continues to emphasise a sovereign and inclusive Afghanistan with respect for the rights of all people. The protocol and accreditation of the diplomat remain subject to diplomatic norms and India’s broader foreign-policy calculus.
