India said on Friday it will upgrade its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan to an embassy-level presence after talks with Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi.

The meeting marked the first high-level political contact between India and the Taliban since the group took power in Kabul in 2021, underscoring New Delhi's cautious re-engagement with the Kabul administration.

Indian foreign minister S. Jaishankar said discussions focused on trade, humanitarian aid, and resuming stalled development projects. He also confirmed expanded visa access for Afghans seeking medical care, education, and business opportunities in India.

Jaishankar stressed the need for regional cooperation against terrorism and pledged India's assistance in rebuilding earthquake-damaged homes in Kunar province and supporting Afghanistan's water management initiatives.

Muttaqi's visit was his first to India since the Taliban's return to power and comes amid efforts by Kabul to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with regional partners.

The talks coincided with Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan's Paktika province, where fighter jets reportedly bombed targets in Barmal district, heightening regional tensions over cross-border militancy.

Analysts say India's decision to engage the Taliban marks a pragmatic shift aimed at safeguarding its interests in Afghanistan, even as rivalry with Pakistan continues to shape the region's fragile security landscape.

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