In a significant diplomatic development amid ongoing regional tensions, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar held a phone conversation with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the interim Foreign Minister of the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan. This marks the first ministerial-level dialogue between New Delhi and Kabul since the Taliban assumed power in August 2021.
The conversation gained prominence as Minister Jaishankar welcomed Afghanistan’s strong condemnation of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Taking to the social media platform X, Jaishankar wrote, “Had a good conversation with the interim Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Amir Khan. It is heartening that he condemned the Pahalgam terror attack. We welcome his rejection of the baseless narrative aimed at sowing discord between India and Afghanistan. Our friendship with the Afghan people remains steadfast, and we are committed to supporting their development.”
The dialogue comes at a time of heightened sensitivities following ‘Operation Sindoor’, during which Pakistan alleged that an Indian missile had landed on Afghan soil. Both Kabul and New Delhi have firmly denied the claim. The Taliban’s Ministry of Defense issued a statement clarifying that no such incident occurred, labeling Pakistan’s allegations as false and misleading.
Despite India not officially recognizing the Taliban regime, New Delhi has maintained a pragmatic line of engagement, primarily focused on humanitarian aid, regional security, and counter-terrorism. This recent exchange signals a cautious yet notable shift toward functional communication at higher diplomatic levels.
Earlier this year, senior officials from India and Afghanistan met in Dubai to discuss regional cooperation. India has also repeatedly voiced concerns about the presence of terrorist outfits like Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan, underscoring the importance of maintaining stability in the region.
Dr. Jaishankar’s engagement with the Taliban minister comes at a critical juncture, reflecting India’s evolving foreign policy strategy that balances regional security concerns with diplomatic outreach.
