In a significant development following the first-ever contact between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Taliban’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen expressed the group’s intent to renew and normalize ties with India. Shaheen, who is also the Taliban’s envoy to Qatar, highlighted Afghanistan’s openness to investments and international cooperation for rebuilding the war-torn nation.
The phone conversation between Jaishankar and Muttaqi marks the highest-level engagement between the Indian government and the Taliban since the group took control of Afghanistan in August 2021. This dialogue has caught the attention of diplomatic circles, particularly due to its timing amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. Sources familiar with the matter indicated that Muttaqi’s decision to contact Jaishankar before his upcoming visits to Iran and China signals the Taliban’s strategic approach to diplomacy.
Shaheen emphasized Afghanistan’s historical relationship with India and the need to restore it. “We have a balanced approach policy, and our arms are open for all countries to invest in Afghanistan and cooperate with us in various fields,” he said, adding, “We are building everything from scratch and need such relations.”
The Taliban’s call for investment is particularly notable as both countries explore opportunities to increase bilateral trade, currently valued at around $1 billion. During the call, Jaishankar welcomed Muttaqi’s firm rejection of recent false reports aimed at creating distrust between India and Afghanistan, indirectly addressing Pakistani media claims that India was involved in a “false flag” operation in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
The phone call took place while Taliban’s acting Deputy Interior Minister Mohammad Ibrahim Sadr was in New Delhi for medical treatment. However, his visit was not part of any official engagements, sources confirmed.
Further underscoring the Taliban’s condemnation of terrorism, their foreign ministry had earlier condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, stating that such incidents undermine regional peace and security. Despite India closing the Attari border with Pakistan in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack, New Delhi granted special clearance for 160 Afghan trucks carrying dry fruits and nuts to enter India. However, Pakistani authorities have reportedly delayed clearance on their side, affecting Afghan trade.
Following the outcomes of the January meeting between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Muttaqi in Dubai, India is reportedly considering development projects to aid Afghan citizens and humanitarian assistance for Afghan refugees displaced from Pakistan.
Since 2021, India has extended significant aid to Afghanistan, including 50,000 tonnes of wheat, 350 tonnes of medicines, 40,000 litres of pesticide, earthquake relief supplies, and 2,000 online scholarships for Afghan students.
This renewed dialogue signals a cautious but hopeful step toward rebuilding bilateral relations, with India balancing its strategic interests and humanitarian commitments in the region.
Sources By Agencies
