Kabul (TDI): The Taliban’s foreign office described India as a “key regional and economic partner” following talks with its highest-ranking foreign ministry official, marking the most senior-level engagement with New Delhi since their 2021 takeover of Afghanistan.
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held a meeting with acting Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai on Wednesday.
Afghanistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that they had discussed expanding ties with Afghanistan and to boost trade through Chabahar Port in Iran, which India has been developing for goods to bypass Pakistan’s ports of Gwadar and Karachi.
“Aligned with Afghanistan’s balanced, economy-driven foreign policy, the Islamic Emirate seeks to bolster political and economic relations with India as a key regional and economic partner,” Afghanistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement late on Wednesday.
India’s foreign ministry said after the meeting that New Delhi was considering engaging in development projects in Afghanistan and looking to boost trade relations.
No foreign government, including India, officially recognizes the Taliban government.
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However, India is one of several nations with a small mission in Kabul to facilitate trade, assistance and medical support and has sent humanitarian aid to Afghanistan under the Taliban.
Regional countries including China and Russia have signalled they are willing to increase trade and investment in Afghanistan.
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Pakistan and Afghanistan maintained strained ties, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of harboring militants behind attacks on its soil — allegations the Afghan Taliban deny.
