After the devastating earthquake in Afghanistan, India sent a technical team to its embassy in the capital, Kabul. India’s Ministry of External Affairs announced late Thursday that it should monitor the delivery of humanitarian aid and coordinate it with various actors.

It is the first time India has a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan since the Taliban took power last August.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan welcomed the decision: “The return of Indian diplomats to Afghanistan and the reopening of the embassy shows that the country is safe and all political and diplomatic rights are respected.” The ministry also asked other countries to open their embassies to reopen.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in New Delhi emphasized in its statement its historical relationship with the Afghan people and at the same time did not mention any recognition of the Taliban government. India has had good relations with Afghanistan for a long time, and about three billion dollars has been invested in development aid projects over the last 20 years.

Positioning itself for a Taliban government has not been easy for India – partly because the Taliban are also active in hostile neighbor Pakistan. An Indian team in Kabul recently held talks on humanitarian aid with Taliban representatives.

According to official information, at least 1,000 people were killed in the devastating earthquake on Wednesday morning, and about 1,500 others were injured in the border region with Pakistan. Authorities fear the toll will continue to rise.

© dpa-infocom, dpa:220623-99-763397/15

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