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Afghanistan and India pledge closer ties in high-level diplomatic call
In a significant diplomatic development, Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Thursday held a wide-ranging telephonic conversation aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing regional cooperation.
According to a statement released by the Afghan foreign ministry, the discussion focused on enhancing bilateral relations, promoting trade, and upgrading diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Calling India a key regional country with historical relation with Afghanistan, Muttaqi expressed hope for further strengthening relations, reiterating Afghanistan’s commitment to a balanced foreign policy and constructive engagement with all sides.
Among the key issues raised by the Afghan side were requests to streamline visa processes for Afghan businessmen and medical patients, as well as appeals for the release and repatriation of Afghan nationals imprisoned in India.
Jaishankar responded positively, assuring progress on both fronts and highlighting joint political and economic efforts between the two nations.
Both ministers also underscored the strategic importance of Chabahar Port, a key regional transit hub jointly developed by India and Iran, and expressed mutual interest in accelerating its use to boost regional trade and connectivity.
Jaishankar also said in a post on X that he expressed appreciation for Muttaqi’s condemnation of the recent attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. He also welcomed the Muttaqi’s clear rejection of “false and baseless reports” that aimed to create distrust between the two countries.
Reaffirming India’s traditional friendship with the Afghan people, Jaishankar emphasized continued support for Afghanistan’s development needs and discussed pathways for future cooperation.
The call marks a notable effort by both New Delhi and Kabul to maintain and strengthen their historically close relations, despite broader geopolitical complexities and the absence of formal diplomatic recognition of the current Afghan government by India.
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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