**Executive Summary**
The document is a response from the Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs to questions raised in Lok Sabha (Unstarred Question No-973, answered on 05/12/2025) regarding the reopening of the Indian Embassy in Kabul on October 21, 2025. The questions pertain to India's Afghan policy, development projects, outcome measurement, a public dashboard, and timelines for establishing a full diplomatic presence. The response outlines India's approach to Afghanistan and its development partnership.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Reopening of Embassy:** The Government restored the status of the Technical Mission of India in Kabul to that of the Embassy of India in Afghanistan effective October 21, 2025.
* **Afghan Policy:** India's approach to Afghanistan is guided by historical and cultural ties and is based on a pragmatic engagement with Afghan authorities.
* **Development Partnership:** India's development partnership with Afghanistan consists of more than 500 projects across various provinces in key sectors. These include power, water supply, connectivity, healthcare, education, agriculture, and capacity building.
* **Project Monitoring:** The Indian Embassy in Kabul is responsible for monitoring the status of developmental projects in Afghanistan.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Afghan People
**Impact:** Affected by India's development and humanitarian assistance initiatives focused on addressing their developmental needs.
**Action Required:** No specific action required.
**Stakeholder:** Indian Embassy in Kabul
**Impact:** Responsible for maintaining diplomatic relations and monitoring development projects in Afghanistan.
**Action Required:** Monitor the status of ongoing development projects in Afghanistan.
**Stakeholder:** Ministry of External Affairs
**Impact:** Responsible for India's Afghan policy and overseeing the implementation of development projects.
**Action Required:** Continue to guide India's approach to Afghanistan and oversee the implementation of development projects.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of External Affairs: The Indian ministry responsible for India's foreign policy and diplomatic relations, the primary subject of the document.
Kabul: Capital of Afghanistan and location of the Indian embassy being reopened.
Afghanistan: Country where India is focusing its development and diplomatic efforts, central to the document's scope.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-973
ANSWERED ON- 05/12/2025
REOPENING OF INDIAN EMBASSY IN KABUL
973. ADV GOWAAL KAGADA PADAVI
DR. PRASHANT YADAORAO PADOLE
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether India reopened its embassy in Kabul on 21 October 2025,
restoring a full diplomatic mission after four years;
(b) the manner in which this stand fits into India's broader Afghan policy,
including development and humanitarian cooperation and efforts to
ensure that Afghan territory is not used by non-State actors against India;
(c) the number of India-funded development projects planned or
operational in Afghanistan following this diplomatic upgrade and whether
Indian Ministry or agency is responsible for each of them;
(d) the manner in which the Ministry proposes to measure outcomes of
this engagement;
(e) whether a public dashboard State-wise/region-wise will be available;
and
1(f) the timeline by which the MEA expects a full diplomatic, consular and
project- implementation presence in Afghanistan and the first review
report will be published?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a to f) India’s approach to Afghanistan, its contiguous neighbour with
deep historical and cultural ties, has always been guided by our long-
standing friendship and special relationship with the Afghan people.
India follows a pragmatic engagement with Afghan authorities, which has
enabled us to protect our interests and to facilitate humanitarian
assistance and address the developmental needs of the Afghan people. In
line with this approach, the Government has restored the status of the
Technical Mission of India in Kabul to that of the Embassy of India in
Afghanistan with effect from 21 October 2025.
India’s development partnership with Afghanistan comprises more than
500 projects across various provinces in key sectors such as power, water
supply, connectivity, healthcare, education, agriculture and capacity
building. Our Embassy in Kabul continues to monitor the status of
developmental projects in Afghanistan.
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