India gifts Afghan 20 ambulances, Minister Jaishankar hands over 5 ambulances

New Delhi. India has presented a gift to Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, who is visiting India. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar handed over five ambulances to Muttaqi in the national capital on Friday as a gesture of goodwill. These five ambulances are part of a gift of 20 ambulances given to Afghanistan as a gesture of goodwill. In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, “Also handed over 5 ambulances to Foreign Minister Muttaqi. This is part of a larger gift of 20 ambulances and other medical equipment, reflecting our long-standing support to the Afghan people.”

During the bilateral meeting between Jaishankar and Muttaki, the External Affairs Minister emphasized that as a close neighbor and well-wisher of the Afghan people, India has a deep interest in Afghanistan’s development and progress. In his address, Jaishankar said, “India has long supported Afghanistan’s health security, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are now committed to six new projects, details of which may be announced after the conclusion of our talks. The gift of 20 ambulances is another gesture of goodwill, and I would like to personally hand over five of them to you as a symbolic gesture. India will also provide MRI and CT scan machines to Afghan hospitals and deliver vaccinations and cancer medicines. We have also provided drug rehabilitation materials through the UNODC and stand ready to do so in the future.”

In a significant diplomatic move, India on Friday announced the upgrading of its Technical Mission in Kabul to the level of the Indian Embassy. The announcement was made by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made the announcement during bilateral talks with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and his delegation. In his opening remarks, Jaishankar said, “India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan… To further strengthen this, I am pleased to announce today the upgradation of India’s Technical Mission in Kabul to the level of an Indian Embassy.” Jaishankar welcomed Muttaqi and his delegation at Hyderabad House in the national capital and reaffirmed the enduring friendship between India and Afghanistan. He unveiled a number of development and humanitarian initiatives, including a commitment to six new development projects for Afghanistan.