New Delhi: Afghanistan has formally appointed Noor Ahmed Noor as its diplomatic representative in New Delhi, marking the first such posting to India since the Taliban assumed control of Kabul in 2021. Noor arrived in the Indian capital on Saturday to take up his role at the Afghan Embassy, according to reports.
Noor — a senior career diplomat who previously served as the First Political Director at Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs — now heads the mission in India as Charge d’Affaires. While New Delhi has not officially recognised the Taliban government, the move reflects a growing pattern of practical engagement between the two countries, reported India Today.
The appointment comes amid a renewed focus on bilateral cooperation, particularly in humanitarian assistance, health support and consular services.
In late December, Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health, Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, said India was emerging as a key partner for Afghanistan’s pharmaceutical requirements at a time when relations with Pakistan were strained. Jalali called for a “new chapter” of collaboration between Kabul and New Delhi, noting longstanding ties and India’s role as a reliable partner in health cooperation.
India has reaffirmed its commitment to long-term supply of medicines and health assistance to Afghanistan, underscoring humanitarian outreach despite complex regional dynamics.
This diplomatic step follows a series of official interactions between Afghan and Indian officials.
In October 2025, Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi visited India — his first official trip to New Delhi since the Taliban takeover — and engaged with Indian counterparts in discussions aimed at enhancing cooperation, reported India Today.
In November 2025, Afghanistan’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi announced that long-standing visa issues for Afghan citizens seeking medical and business travel to India had been resolved, with the Afghan Embassy playing a central role in facilitating services.
While Noor’s appointment indicates a practical resumption of diplomatic channels, New Delhi has maintained that it has not formally recognised the Taliban-led government. India continues to navigate a cautious diplomatic path, balancing humanitarian support with broader regional and international considerations
