The Taliban’s foreign office on Wednesday said that it saw India as a “significant regional and economic partner” after meeting with its most senior foreign ministry official, the highest-level talks with Delhi since the group’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with Acting Taliban Minister of Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Wednesday.
The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the two officials discussed expanding relations with Afghanistan and boosting trade through Chabahar Port in Iran, which India has been developing for goods to bypass the ports of Karachi and Gwadar in Pakistan.
Photo: Reuters
“In line with Afghanistan’s balanced and economy-focused foreign policy, the Islamic Emirate aims to strengthen political and economic ties with India as a significant regional and economic partner,” the statement said.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said after the meeting in Delhi that India was considering engaging in development projects in Afghanistan and looking to boost trade ties.
No foreign government, including India, officially recognizes the Taliban administration.
However, India is one of several countries with a small mission in Kabul to facilitate trade, aid and medical support, and has sent humanitarian aid to Afghanistan under the Taliban.
Regional players, including China and Russia, have signaled that they are willing to boost trade and investment in Afghanistan.
The Delhi meeting could ruffle Pakistan, which borders both countries and has fought three wars against India.
Pakistan and Afghanistan also have a strained relationship, with Pakistan saying that several militant attacks that have occurred in its country have been launched from Afghan soil — a charge that the Taliban denies.
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