India Condemns Pakistan's Blame Game Amid Afghanistan Conflict as Technical Mission Transitions to Embassy

"Our technical mission has been operational in Kabul since June 2022," stated Randhir Jaiswal, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson.

India is attentively monitoring the escalating conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan, while pointedly noting Islamabad's tendency to blame neighboring countries for its internal challenges, as confirmed by officials on Thursday.

Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that India maintains its full commitment to Afghanistan's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. He further revealed that India's "technical mission" in Kabul will be elevated to embassy status in the coming days.

The military confrontation between Pakistan and Afghanistan erupted following Pakistan's airstrike on Kabul last week. Afghanistan responded forcefully, leading to an intensification of hostilities. Both nations have claimed to have inflicted significant casualties on each other before agreeing to a temporary ceasefire on Wednesday.

"We are closely monitoring the situation. Three things are clear — first, Pakistan hosts terrorist organizations and sponsors terrorist activities," Jaiswal remarked during the briefing.

"Second, blaming neighbors for internal failures is Pakistan's long-standing practice, and third, Pakistan is clearly frustrated by Afghanistan exercising sovereignty over its own territories." He reaffirmed India's unwavering support for Afghanistan's territorial integrity and independence.

Regarding the upgrade of India's diplomatic presence, Jaiswal noted: "Our technical mission has been operational in Kabul since June 2022. Its transition to an embassy will take place within the next few days."

India announced last week that it would elevate its technical mission in Kabul to embassy status, following comprehensive discussions between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

India had previously withdrawn its diplomatic personnel from Kabul after the Taliban took control in August 2021, before reestablishing a diplomatic presence through a technical team in June 2022.