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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.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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