New Delhi — In a significant diplomatic engagement, Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar in New Delhi, reaffirming Kabul’s intent to deepen ties with India. The meeting emphasized mutual cooperation, humanitarian support, and a shared vision for regional stability.
During the bilateral talks, FM Muttaqi praised India’s consistent support to the Afghan people, particularly during times of crisis. “India has always stood with our people and has assisted us in many areas,” he stated, referring notably to India’s swift humanitarian response during the recent earthquakes in Afghanistan.
“Over the past four years, and particularly during the earthquakes, India was the first country to respond,” said Muttaqi, expressing gratitude for India’s timely aid in moments of distress.
Reiterating the cultural and historic ties between the two nations, Muttaqi emphasized the need to build a future-focused relationship: “Afghanistan looks at India as a close friend. We want a relationship based on mutual respect and people-to-people ties.”
The meeting highlights India’s ongoing engagement with Afghanistan despite geopolitical complexities, including the lack of formal recognition of the Taliban-led government by most of the international community. India, however, has maintained a channel of communication with Kabul, primarily for humanitarian outreach and regional stability.
India has a long-standing development partnership with Afghanistan, having invested over $3 billion in various infrastructure, education, and healthcare projects over the years. While formal diplomatic ties were affected after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, India has since re-established a “technical team” at its embassy in Kabul to oversee aid distribution and maintain minimal diplomatic presence.
The latest dialogue suggests a cautiously evolving relationship between New Delhi and Kabul, rooted in humanitarian cooperation and shared regional concerns.
