NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday expressed India's commitment to Afghanistan's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence and announced India's upgradation of Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of Embassy. He said that Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi's visit to India marks an important step in advancing bilateral ties and affirming the enduring friendship between two nations.
In his opening remarks during his meeting with Muttaqi in New Delhi on Friday, EAM Jaishankar also recalled the talks held with Afghan Foreign Minister after the April 22 Pahalgam attack and earthquake in Kunar and Nangarhar.
He said, "India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan. Closer cooperation between us contributes to your national development, as well as regional stability and resilience. To enhance that, I am pleased to announce today the upgrading of India’s Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of Embassy of India."
He expressed India's interest in Afghanistan's development and progress. EAM Jaishankar said that he and Muttaqi can speak about the maintenance and repairs of finished projects and steps to complete others.
Highlighting India's assistance to Afghanistan over the years, he said, "India has long extended support for the health security of Afghanistan, including during the Covid pandemic. We are now ready to commit to six new projects, whose details can be announced after the conclusion of our talks. A gift of 20 ambulances is another gesture of good will and I would like to handover 5 of them to you personally as a symbolic step."
"India will also provide MRI and CT scan machines to Afghan hospitals and deliver vaccines for immunization and cancer medicines. We have also supplied drug rehabilitation materials through UNODC and are open to doing more. As a first responder, Indian relief materials were delivered to the earthquake sites within hours of the disaster last month. We would like to contribute to the reconstruction of residences in the affected areas. India has also been a significant provider of food assistance to the Afghan people. A further consignment will be delivered in Kabul today, " he added.
EAM Jaishankar expressed concern over forced repatriation of Afghan refugees.