An Indian delegation from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) embarked on a crucial visit to Afghanistan. This diplomatic mission underscores India’s unwavering commitment to fostering bilateral ties and extending humanitarian support to the Afghan people, particularly in the wake of recent geopolitical developments.
The delegation, spearheaded by the Joint Secretary (PAI), JP Singh from the Ministry of External Affairs had direct talks with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
India & Afghanistan
Since the inauguration of India’s Technical Mission in Kabul back in June 2022, the Mission has played a pivotal role in coordinating and facilitating India’s ongoing humanitarian aid efforts in Afghanistan. At the weekly briefing on Friday, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Randhir Jaiswal said that the delegation’s visit serves as a testament to India’s steadfast dedication to providing assistance and fostering socio-economic development in the region.
According to him, during their stay, the delegation engaged in high-level meetings with key figures within the Afghan government, exchanging perspectives on various issues. And, among the notable figures met during the visit was former President Hamid Karzai, symbolizing India’s commitment to engaging with influential stakeholders across the Afghan political spectrum.
Additionally, the delegation seized the opportunity to confer with officials from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), reaffirming India’s support for the UN’s efforts in facilitating peace and stability in the region. Furthermore, discussions with representatives from the Afghan business community underscored India’s interest in exploring avenues for economic collaboration and trade enhancement between the two nations.
A primary focus of the deliberations revolved around India’s continued humanitarian assistance initiatives aimed at ameliorating the plight of the Afghan populace.
India-Afghanistan-Connectivity & Trade
The discussions also delved into the potential utilization of the Chabahar port by Afghan traders, underscoring India’s commitment to bolstering Afghanistan’s economic resilience and connectivity with the wider world.
India’s engagement with Afghanistan is deeply rooted in historical and civilizational ties that have endured through the annals of time. These longstanding linkages serve as the bedrock of India’s foreign policy approach towards Afghanistan, guiding its efforts to contribute meaningfully to the country’s reconstruction and development endeavours.
As both nations navigate through challenging times, India remains steadfast in its resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Afghan people, offering unwavering support and solidarity in their quest for peace, stability, and prosperity.
On the social media the Taliban foreign ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi said in-depth discussions took place on Afghanistan-India relations, and economic and transit matters. In a series of posts on X, Balkhi said: “Calling relation (between) the two countries historic, Mr. Singh said that India has provided humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan in various areas in the last two and a half years.
Moreover, commending IEA’s (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) efforts in ensuring overall security & stability, countering narcotics, fighting ISKP & corruption in the country, Singh said that India is interested in expanding political & economic cooperation with Afghanistan, & enhancing trade via Chabahar port.”
“FM Muttaqi urged India’s Joint Secretary to facilitate visa issuance process for Afghan businessmen, patients & students,” the Taliban foreign ministry spokesperson said.
There have been at least two trips by Indian officials in the past two-and-half years since Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021. The first visit took place in June 2022 and another visit took place in October 2022.
In June 2022, after the first official delegation visited Kabul, India sent a “technical team” to Kabul which has been stationed at the embassy since then. The publicly-stated objective has been to coordinate delivery of humanitarian aid and support to the people of Afghanistan. It has sent aid in the form of medicines, stationery items for school children, wheat among other things.
In January this year, Taliban’s Foreign minister Mottaqi held a meeting of diplomats from 11 neighbouring and regional countries, including India, and had proposed establishing a “region-centric narrative aimed at developing regional cooperation for a positive and constructive engagement between Afghanistan and regional countries.” This was one of the rare and first publicized meetings between the Taliban Foreign minister and diplomats from India who have been based in Kabul since June 2022. India has tried to tread carefully on the issue of engaging the Taliban, while not granting diplomatic recognition to the grouping.