Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi today said his country would depute its diplomats to India as part of step-by-step efforts to improve bilateral relations.

Muttaqi made the announcement at a media briefing hours after holding extensive talks with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who told him that New Delhi would reopen its embassy in Kabul.

The Afghan diplomatic missions in India have officials who were largely appointed by the previous Ashraf Ghani government.

India has not yet recognised the Taliban set-up and has been pitching for the formation of a truly inclusive government in Kabul.

On India’s stance regarding recognition of the Taliban-led government, Muttaqi said, “This is my first visit to India, and today we have decided that India will upgrade its technical mission to an embassy and we will also send our diplomats here. India-Afghanistan relations are historic, and our diplomatic engagement is moving forward positively.”