India close to deciding on diplomatic presence in Kabul

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Indian government is close to deciding about resumption of its diplomatic presence in Afghanistan, a media report said on Wednesday.

This comes as a delegation from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs visited Kabul last week to review Indian projects and programs and hold talks with caretaker government officials.

The Hindustan Times quoted Indian officials as saying that the Indian government was close to deciding to begin its diplomatic presence in Afghanistan, but that would not mean recognizing the caretaker government.

Some members of the Indian security establishment had arrived in Kabul in February this year to assess the security situation in Afghanistan.

According to the report, Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Mottqi had demanded reopening of Indian Embassy in Afghanistan and resumption of consular services.

About nine months ago, when the democratic government collapsed, many countries closed their diplomatic missions in Kabul and evacuated their staff and Afghan colleagues.

However, the embassies of Iran, China, Russia and Pakistan in Kabul continued their activities.

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