Taliban calls India ‘significant partner’ following high-level meeting

The Taliban has called India a “significant regional and economic partner” following a meeting between senior foreign ministry officials of the two countries, marking the highest-level talks since the Afghan group’s takeover of Kabul in 2021.

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met acting Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai on Wednesday. According to a statement from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they discussed expanding relations and boosting trade through Chabahar Port in Iran, which India has been developing to bypass the ports of Karachi and Gwadar in rival Pakistan.

Key Points:

• Strengthening Ties: The Islamic Emirate aims to strengthen political and economic ties with India, recognizing it as a significant regional and economic partner.
• Development Projects: India is considering engaging in development projects in Afghanistan and aims to boost trade ties.
• Humanitarian Assistance: India, which hosts thousands of Afghan refugees, will provide material support for their rehabilitation back home and further assistance to the Afghan health sector.
• Non-recognition of Taliban: No foreign government, including India, officially recognizes the Taliban administration. However, India reopened its embassy in Kabul in June 2022.
• Diplomatic Movements: Afghanistan’s embassy in New Delhi was closed in November 2023, but the Taliban appointed Ikramuddin Kamil as its acting consul in Mumbai.
• Humanitarian Aid: India has sent several shipments of wheat, medicines, COVID vaccines, and winter clothing to Afghanistan under the Taliban.

The meeting occurred amid rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with the latter launching operations against what it calls armed groups in Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika province. India condemned recent air strikes conducted by Pakistan on Afghan soil.

Historical Rivalry: India and Pakistan have long been rivals, having fought three wars over Kashmir since gaining independence from Britain in 1947. The Afghan side emphasized its sensitivity to India’s security concerns and agreed to maintain regular contact at various levels.