India, Afghanistan commit to strengthen bilateral ties

New Delhi, Oct 10: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday welcomed Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to New Delhi, marking the first-ever visit by a senior Taliban leader to India since the group took power in August 2021.

The meeting signalled a new chapter in India-Afghanistan engagement, with Jaishankar announcing the upgrading of India’s Technical Mission in Kabul to a full-fledged Embassy.

In his opening remarks at Hyderabad House, Jaishankar described the visit as “an important step in advancing our ties and affirming the enduring friendship between India and Afghanistan.”

In a major diplomatic move, Jaishankar announced that India’s Technical Mission in Kabul will be upgraded to the status of Embassy of India, signalling a cautious but clear shift in India’s engagement with Afghanistan.

“India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan,” Jaishankar affirmed. “Closer cooperation between us contributes to your national development, as well as regional stability and resilience.”

The Afghan foreign minister, who is accompanied by senior officials from Afghanistan’s foreign and trade ministries, will also meet National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and interact with Indian business leaders, as well as visit Darul Uloom Deoband and the Taj Mahal during his six-day stay. Muttaqi’s visit — the first by a Taliban foreign minister to India — marks what diplomats describe as a “measured and pragmatic recalibration” of New Delhi’s Afghanistan policy, balancing humanitarian engagement with security considerations.

“Your visit marks an important step in advancing our ties and affirming the enduring friendship between India and Afghanistan,” Jaishankar told Muttaqi.

He noted that while the two leaders had spoken previously, once after the Pahalgam terrorist attack and again following the Kunar and Nangarhar earthquake, an in-person meeting provided “special value” in allowing both sides to “exchange perspectives, identify common interests, and forge closer cooperation.” Reaffirming India’s longstanding commitment to Afghanistan’s development, Jaishankar said: “As a contiguous neighbour and a well-wisher of the Afghan people, India has a deep interest in your development and progress. Our longstanding partnership that has seen so many Indian projects in Afghanistan stands renewed.”

Raising concerns about the plight of forcibly repatriated Afghan refugees, Jaishankar said their “dignity and livelihood are important,” and announced India’s commitment to help construct residences for them and continue providing material aid. He also highlighted the resumption of additional flights between Kabul and New Delhi, expanding education opportunities for Afghan students, and strengthening cooperation in sports, particularly cricket. “The emergence of Afghan cricket talent has been truly impressive. India is glad to deepen its support for Afghan cricket,” Jaishankar said.

Touching upon security concerns, Jaishankar emphasised the need for joint efforts to combat cross-border terrorism. “We have a common commitment towards growth and prosperity. However, these are endangered by the shared threat of cross-border terrorism that both our nations face. We must coordinate efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he said, appreciating Kabul’s “sensitivity towards India’s security concerns” and its “solidarity in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.”

INDIA, AFGHANISTAN REAFFIRM PARTNERSHIP

India and Afghanistan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral ties, deepen developmental cooperation, and uphold regional peace and stability. According to a joint statement, the two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on issues of mutual interest, including regional developments, security cooperation, trade, and humanitarian assistance.

Both sides unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms, with Dr. Jaishankar expressing appreciation for Afghanistan’s condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir earlier this year. The Afghan Foreign Minister reiterated Kabul’s assurance that no group or individual would be allowed to use Afghan soil against India. The External Affairs Minister also conveyed condolences over the recent earthquakes in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces, while the Afghan side thanked India for its rapid relief response and humanitarian support.

EXPANDING DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

India and Afghanistan agreed to enhance collaboration in healthcare, infrastructure, and capacity-building projects as part of India’s ongoing development partnership.

  India will construct a 30-bed hospital, an Oncology Centre, and a Trauma Centre in Kabul, along with five maternity health clinics in the provinces of Paktika, Khost, and Paktia.

  A Thalassemia Centre, a Modern Diagnostic Centre, and an upgraded heating system at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Kabul are also being established.

  As a special gesture, India will gift twenty ambulances to Afghanistan.

  India will continue to provide medical assistance and scholarships to Afghan students under the e-ICCR and ICCR programmes, and explore new academic avenues for Afghan youth.

India also expressed willingness to assist in reconstructing residential buildings damaged in the recent earthquake.

TRADE AND CONNECTIVITY

Both sides welcomed the launch of the India-Afghanistan Air Freight Corridor, aimed at boosting trade and direct connectivity. The Afghan side invited Indian investment in the mining sector, describing it as a crucial step toward Afghanistan’s economic recovery.

HUMANITARIAN AND CULTURAL COOPERATION

The ministers reviewed India’s ongoing humanitarian support, which includes food grains, disaster relief materials, and supplies for displaced Afghan refugees. The Afghan side expressed gratitude for India’s “comprehensive and generous” aid.

Both countries also agreed to enhance cooperation in sports, particularly cricket, and promote cultural exchanges to strengthen people-to-people ties.

WATER AND ENERGY COOPERATION

Acknowledging India’s role in constructing and maintaining the India-Afghanistan Friendship Dam (Salma Dam) in Herat, both sides emphasized sustainable water management and agreed to cooperate on hydroelectric projects to support Afghanistan’s energy and agricultural needs. Concluding the talks, both leaders agreed to maintain regular engagement and close communication to advance shared goals of peace, prosperity, and regional stability.