NEW DELHI: Afghanistan’s Taliban government has described India as an “important” regional and economic power following talks between Foreign Minister Vikram Misri and Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Ta. Mr. Misri and Mr. Muttaqi met in Dubai on Wednesday, the first publicly recognized meeting since the Taliban seized power in August 2021.
Afghanistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that Mutaki “thanked India for its humanitarian assistance and added that he looks forward to strengthening political and economic ties with India in line with a balanced and economically-oriented foreign policy.”
“The foreign minister also assured the Indian side that there is no threat from Afghanistan and expressed hope for facilitating (India’s) issuance of visas for traders, patients and students to strengthen diplomatic ties.” said.
The meeting was also attended by representatives of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Transport, the statement added.
“Comprehensive discussions were held regarding politics, economics, and people-to-people relations between the two countries,” the statement said.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), during the meeting, the Indian side said New Delhi would consider participating in Afghanistan’s development projects and provide material support to the country in the health sector.
In response to the Afghan request, India will initially provide further material support to the health sector and refugee rehabilitation, the MEA announced on Wednesday.
The two sides also agreed to facilitate the use of Chabahar port to support trade and commercial activities, including humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.
The Afghan statement said the Indian side has conveyed its keenness to promote trade through Chabahar port.
“Ultimately, both sides agreed to facilitate visas and trade,” the report said.
The Misri-Muttaqi meeting came two days after India “unequivocally” condemned Pakistan’s airstrikes in Afghanistan that killed dozens of civilians.
India has yet to recognize the establishment of the Taliban and has called for the establishment of a truly inclusive government in Kabul. New Delhi also insists that Afghan soil must not be used for terrorist activities against any country.
It is learned that New Delhi remains concerned about the presence of terrorist elements in Afghanistan belonging to Pakistan-based terrorist organizations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
India has increased humanitarian aid to Afghanistan in recent years.
India has so far delivered 50,000 tonnes of wheat, 300 tonnes of medicines, 27 tonnes of earthquake relief supplies, 40,000 liters of pesticides, 100 million polio doses, 1.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, and 11,000 public hygiene kits. I’m sending some cargo. Drug addiction eradication program and 1.2 tons of stationery kits.
