In a significant diplomatic move, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with the Taliban’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi on Friday, marking the first official visit by a senior Taliban functionary to India. The high-level meeting resulted in India announcing a range of developmental initiatives for Afghanistan and an upgrade of its diplomatic presence in Kabul.
The discussions, held at Hyderabad House, focused on ways to advance bilateral cooperation and jointly address regional security challenges, particularly counter-terrorism. Muttaqi’s arrival in New Delhi on Thursday underscores India’s measured approach to enhancing a working relationship with the administration in Kabul, though it stops short of formal recognition of the Taliban regime.
A New Chapter in Bilateral Relations
Both ministers were outwardly cordial and positive about the future of India-Afghanistan ties during their televised remarks.
Speaking in Pashto, Muttaqi described India as an “important country” in the region and proposed the creation of a mechanism to further strengthen ties. He stressed the need to build on centuries of civilisational and people-to-people connections and to “close policy positions on many issues” through dialogue to increase exchanges.
Jaishankar reciprocated the sentiment, calling Muttaqi’s visit an “important step in advancing our ties and affirming the enduring friendship.” The External Affairs Minister noted that an in-person meeting has a “special value in allowing us to exchange perspectives, identify common interests and forge closer cooperation.”
Commitment to Counter-Terrorism and Security
A crucial part of the discussion focused on shared security threats. Muttaqi gave an assurance that the Taliban will not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against other countries and specifically highlighted Daesh (ISIS) as a challenge that the region must combat together for common prosperity. He also noted that the Taliban had never made a statement against India, even during the “many ups and downs” of the American occupation, and had always sought good relations.
Jaishankar echoed this concern, stating that the prosperity of both nations is jeopardised by the “shared threat of cross-border terrorism,” and called for coordinated efforts to combat all forms of terror. He also acknowledged the Taliban’s “sensitivity towards India’s security concerns” and appreciated their “solidarity with us in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack” in April, a move that highlighted the complex regional dynamics, especially given the strained relations both countries currently have with Pakistan.
India Upgrades Diplomatic Presence and Unveils New Aid
The meeting culminated in Jaishankar announcing a series of concrete steps to deepen the working relationship with the Taliban and resume developmental assistance, which had been significantly curtailed after the collapse of the Ashraf Ghani government in 2021:
- Upgraded Mission Status: India is upgrading its technical mission in Kabul to the status of the Embassy of India. While India re-established a limited diplomatic presence in June 2022, this upgrade signifies a more formal and committed engagement after initially pulling out all diplomats following the Taliban takeover.
- New Developmental Projects: India will back six new developmental projects and remains open to maintenance and repairs of completed projects, as well as finishing others committed to in the past.
- Medical and Relief Supplies: New aid includes 20 ambulances, MRI and CT scan machines, vaccines, and cancer medicines for Afghan hospitals. India also committed to contributing to the reconstruction of homes in the Kunar region following a recent earthquake.
- Refugee Aid: India will help build homes and provide aid to “forcibly repatriated” Afghan refugees, an implicit reference to Pakistan’s recent repatriation drives.
- Economic and Education Ties:
- A consignment of food assistance is scheduled for delivery in Kabul on Friday.
- India is ready to collaborate on the sustainable management of water resources.
- Jaishankar acknowledged and appreciated the Taliban’s invitation for Indian companies to explore mining opportunities in Afghanistan.
- India will expand avenues for Afghan students in Indian universities and deepen support for the Afghan national cricket team.
- Following the launch of a new visa module in April, more visas are being issued in the medical, business, and student categories.