India Reopens Full Embassy In Kabul After 4 Years, Marks Re-Entry In Taliban-Era Afghanistan

Last Updated:October 22, 2025, 15:37 IST

Top government sources confirmed to CNN-News18 that the move is designed to counterbalance growing Chinese and Pakistani influence in Kabul

The appointment of Karan Yadav, Indian Foreign Service officer, as Chargé d’Affaires marks New Delhi’s formal return to the Afghan capital. (News18)

India, in a bold and calculated geopolitical move, has re-established its full diplomatic mission in Kabul for the first time since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021. The appointment of Karan Yadav, Indian Foreign Service officer, as Chargé d’Affaires marks New Delhi’s formal return to the Afghan capital, signaling not just diplomatic symbolism but a strategic reset in one of the most volatile regions of the world.

Top government sources confirmed to CNN-News18 that the move is designed to counterbalance growing Chinese and Pakistani influence in Kabul. The reopening of the embassy is seen as a vital step to regain India’s traditional role as a stabilising partner in Afghanistan’s development and reconstruction efforts.

The Indian embassy, now functional with a diplomatic head, is expected to serve as a key node for on-ground visibility into networks, including the Taliban, TTP (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan), LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba), and ISKP (Islamic State Khorasan Province).

While India continues to avoid formal recognition of the Taliban regime, this engagement represents a pragmatic balance, safeguarding Indian interests and humanitarian projects while staying aligned with global partners who remain cautious of legitimising the Taliban government.

The embassy’s reopening also enables direct oversight of India’s extensive investment in Afghanistan, valued at over Rs 22,000 crore. These include critical infrastructure and development projects such as the Salma Dam (India-Afghanistan Friendship Dam), the Afghan Parliament building, schools, hospitals, and the strategic Chabahar trade corridor that connects India to Central Asia via Iran.

This re-entry not only allows India to restart stalled projects but also reinforces its soft power and long-standing goodwill among the Afghan people. It marks a return to active diplomacy in a country where India had long played the role of a trusted development partner.

In an increasingly crowded diplomatic and strategic space in Kabul, India’s decision to reopen its full-fledged embassy is both a return to the table and a statement of intent—New Delhi will not be a bystander in Afghanistan’s future.

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