India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, discussed bilateral ties and regional developments at a meeting in Dubai today.
This is the first publicly acknowledged meeting between an Indian Foreign Secretary and a senior Taliban official since the group came to power in 2021.
Although New Delhi does not officially recognise the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, India maintains a technical mission in Kabul.
Misri also conveyed India’s readiness to respond to the urgent developmental needs of the Afghan people.
It was also agreed to promote the use of Chabahar port for supporting trade and commercial activities, including for the purpose of humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan.
The Afghan side underlined its sensitivities to India’s security concerns.
The two sides agreed to remain in touch and continue regular contacts at various levels.
Misri underlined India’s historic friendship with the Afghan people and the strong people to people contacts between the two countries.
The two sides evaluated the ongoing Indian humanitarian assistance programmes.
The Afghan Minister appreciated and thanked the Indian leadership for continuing to engage and support the people of Afghanistan.
“In view of the current need for development activities, it was decided that India would consider engaging in development projects in the near future, in addition to the ongoing humanitarian assistance programme,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a Press release.
It may be recalled that in response to the needs of the Afghan people, India decided to extend humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
In response to the request from the Afghan side, India will provide further material support in the first instance to the health sector and for the rehabilitation of refugees.
So far, India has dispatched several shipments consisting of 50,000 MTs of wheat, 300 tons of medicines, 27 tons of earthquake relief aid, 40,000 litres of pesticides, 100 million polio doses, 1.5 million doses of COVID Vaccine, 11,000 units of hygiene kits for the drug de-addiction programme, 500 units of winter clothing and 1.2 tons of stationery kits.
The two sides also discussed strengthening of sports (cricket) cooperation, which the Afghan youth really value.
In recent times, Indian officials from the MEA have held meetings with Taliban leaders.
These meetings have been primarily led by J.P. Singh, Joint Secretary in charge of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.
Singh has also handed over India’s humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
In March 2024, an Indian delegation led by J.P. Singh, met Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul and discussed several issues including New Delhi’s humanitarian assistance.
At that time, the Indian delegation also comprised a woman diplomat from the division, Deepti Jharwal.
Following the meeting, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Afghan Foreign Affairs, stated on X that India is interested in expanding political and economic ties with Afghanistan and wants to develop trade through Chabahar port.
