In a significant move towards enhancing cooperation between India and Afghanistan, senior officials from both countries met in Dubai on Wednesday to discuss various matters of mutual interest. The high-level meeting saw India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, joining the talks alongside Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister of the Taliban government, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi.
The discussions focused on a wide range of issues, including the continuation of humanitarian aid, developmental assistance, and regional security. One of the major topics was the Chabahar Port in Iran, a crucial supply route for goods reaching Afghanistan. The port has been central to India’s efforts to support Afghanistan despite the complexities of the region, particularly with Pakistan blocking direct land access to the country since 1947.
India’s engagement with Afghanistan, despite the Taliban’s 2021 takeover, has remained a delicate balance, with humanitarian aid continuing through various channels. Over the years, India has sent substantial support, including wheat, medicines, earthquake relief, pesticides, vaccines, hygiene kits, and winter clothing. These efforts were acknowledged by the Afghan minister during the meeting, who expressed appreciation for India’s continued engagement with the Afghan people.
A key part of the discussions also centered around the future of development activities in Afghanistan. India expressed its readiness to respond to the urgent developmental needs of the Afghan people and emphasized the importance of bilateral ties. The Foreign Secretary reiterated India’s historic relationship with Afghanistan and the strong people-to-people contacts that have existed for centuries.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister assured India of Kabul’s cooperation in addressing regional security concerns. Both sides agreed to promote the use of the Chabahar Port for trade, commerce, and humanitarian assistance, underlining its importance as a strategic infrastructure connecting Afghanistan to global markets.
Sports, particularly cricket, which is immensely popular in both nations, also figured in the meeting. Both sides acknowledged the potential for strengthening sporting ties, with discussions focusing on how cricket could act as a bridge to further enhance bilateral relations.
The meeting comes on the heels of New Delhi’s strong condemnation of the Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan that killed 46 people, including women and children, in December 2024. India’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement criticizing Pakistan’s actions and reaffirming its commitment to the safety and well-being of civilians in the region. The issue of security and civilian protection continues to be a priority for both India and Afghanistan.
In a broader context, the meeting also represents the ongoing diplomatic shifts in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. The group, which has governed the country since 1996 and again since the US withdrawal, has maintained a firm stance on its control over Afghanistan, branding itself as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Despite global challenges and the country’s internal struggles, the Taliban remains committed to engaging with international powers, particularly its neighbors, to improve Afghanistan’s geopolitical and economic standing.
India’s continued humanitarian aid and diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan highlight the importance of fostering constructive relations despite the challenges presented by the Taliban’s leadership. The discussions in Dubai are expected to pave the way for deeper collaboration, particularly in areas such as trade, infrastructure, and regional security.
Sources By Agencies
