India is contemplating involvement in development initiatives in Afghanistan in the near future, as stated by the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties.

This announcement came after a meeting between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai.

The statement indicated that, in response to a request from the Afghan side, India plans to initially offer additional material support focused on the health sector and the rehabilitation of refugees.

To date, India has sent multiple shipments of wheat, medicines, COVID-19 vaccines, and winter clothing to Afghanistan.

India does not recognize the Taliban government, which took control in 2021, and subsequently closed its embassy in Kabul following the Taliban’s rise to power.

Additionally, Afghanistan’s embassy in New Delhi was shut down in November 2023 after diplomats from the Afghan government, ousted by the Taliban, were unable to obtain visa extensions from Indian authorities.