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Indian, Iranian foreign ministers meet, discuss Afghanistan and Chabahar Port
They exchanged views on regional and international developments, with a particular focus on the situation in Afghanistan, which also wants to expand its trade relations with countries through Chabahar Port.
The Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar says he met with his Iranian counterpart, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi in Muscat on Sunday and discussed various issues including the situation in Afghanistan and Chabahar Port.
In a post on X, Jaishankar described the meeting with Araghchi as “good” and said they discussed bilateral relations and regional developments.
Araghchi and Jaishankar were both in Muscat, Oman, for the 8th Indian Ocean Conference.
Araghchi said in an interview with Indian media that Tehran attaches “great importance” to their relations with India.
“In the past, there was a lot of trade between Iran and India. There have been ups and downs, but there is a strong will between the two sides to strengthen relations and we will continue to do so.
Araghchi also said: “Trade cooperation between the two countries is ongoing, and although there have always been ups and downs, both sides are determined to continue the cooperation.”
On Chabahar Port, he said: “We have a 10-year agreement with India regarding Chabahar Port. We are aware that the Indians are consulting with the Americans about the cancellation of the exemption for this port.”
“We know that questions have been raised by a third party, we know that the Indians are consulting with the Americans on this matter, so we will leave the decision-making to our friends.”
The two foreign ministers also reviewed various aspects of Iran-India relations, including political, cultural, economic, and trade cooperation.
They exchanged views on regional and international developments, with a particular focus on the situation in Afghanistan, which also wants to expand its trade relations with countries through Chabahar Port.
Experts have said if Chabahar Port is exempted from US sanctions, Afghanistan can also export its commercial goods to different countries using this port.
Iran is one of Afghanistan’s largest trading partners in the region and trade relations between the two countries has continued to grow.
In 2024, the trade volume between Iran and Afghanistan increased to $3.197 billion, an 84% increase from 2023.
Experts have meanwhile said one of the key factors behind Tehran and Kabul’s drive to expand trade between themselves is to offset the effects of sanctions leveled against both countries.
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Pakistan to repatriate nearly 20,000 Afghans awaiting US resettlement
Authorities will also share verified data of the affected individuals with relevant departments to support implementation.
Pakistan will repatriate nearly 20,000 Afghan nationals currently awaiting resettlement in the United States, The Nation reported, citing official sources.
The move affects 19,973 Afghans living across Pakistan.
A federal directive will instruct provincial chief secretaries and police chiefs in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the Islamabad Capital Territory to begin the repatriation process immediately.
Authorities will also share verified data of the affected individuals with relevant departments to support implementation.
Following the Islamic Emirate’s return to power in 2021, more than 100,000 Afghans fled to Pakistan, many of whom had worked with the US and UK governments, international organizations, or aid agencies.
Thousands have remained stranded in Pakistan for over four years while awaiting US resettlement clearance.
Prospects for relocation have dimmed amid a suspension of case processing by the US administration, according to The Nation.
Under Pakistan’s Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP), all Afghan nationals still awaiting US relocation will now be returned to Afghanistan.
Terrorist activities continue to be observed along Afghanistan borders and along the India–Pakistan–Afghanistan corridor, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview published on Monday.
Speaking to Russia-based media outlet TV BRICS, Lavrov pointed to ongoing concerns in the Middle East, including its Asian regions.
He highlighted the importance of collaboration with India at the United Nations to advance a global counter-terrorism convention.
Lavrov stated that while the draft convention has already been prepared, consensus on its adoption has not yet been reached.
Russia has repeatedly expressed concern about militant threats from Afghanistan. The Islamic Emirate, however, has dismissed the concerns saying that it will not allow Afghanistan’s soil to be used against any country.
Noorullah Noori, Afghanistan’s Minister of Borders and Tribal Affairs, held a phone conversation with Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, to discuss bilateral border cooperation.
According to the Iranian news agency IRNA, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening border collaboration, with a particular focus on the ongoing renovation and updating of border markers. They also agreed to accelerate joint technical and legal meetings to enhance coordination.
As part of the agreement, the next meeting of senior border officials from Afghanistan and Iran is scheduled to take place in Iran in 1405 (2026–2027).
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Pakistan to repatriate nearly 20,000 Afghans awaiting US resettlement
Terrorist activities observed along Afghanistan borders, says Lavrov
Afghan border minister holds phone talks with Iran’s deputy foreign minister
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Saar: Regional Problems, Opportunities, and Challenges discussed
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