India and Taliban Seek to Rebuild Ties Amidst Regional Tensions

In a significant diplomatic move, an Indian diplomat recently met with the Taliban’s acting foreign minister in Kabul, aiming to rebuild relations between the two countries amidst ongoing regional instability. M Anand Prakash, the joint secretary of the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran division of India’s external affairs ministry, met Amir Khan Muttaqi on Sunday.

Hafiz Zia Ahmad, deputy spokesperson of the Taliban’s foreign ministry, shared details of the meeting on social media. He said the two sides discussed regional political developments, bilateral political relations, trade, and transit.

Muttaqi emphasized the importance of strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with India, inviting Indian investors to explore opportunities in Afghanistan. He also stressed the need to facilitate people-to-people movement, including issuing visas to Afghan patients, students, and businessmen.

Prakash echoed the sentiment, highlighting the importance of India-Afghanistan relations and expressing a desire to expand cooperation in various sectors, including infrastructure projects. He also assured continued support for Afghanistan.

While the meeting was welcomed by the Taliban, India has yet to officially comment on the discussions.

This meeting comes at a time when India-Pakistan relations are strained following a deadly terror attack in the Indian-administered Kashmir region. The attack, which killed 26 people, prompted India to take punitive measures, including closing the Attari land border crossing, which is a crucial trade route for Afghanistan with India.

This closure has significantly impacted Afghan trade with India, particularly the export of dried fruits, which heavily relies on this route. Afghan traders and business leaders have expressed concerns about the long-term economic consequences of the border closure.

Prakash also met with former Afghan president Hamid Karzai, further emphasizing India’s commitment to engaging with Afghan leadership. Karzai called for increased scholarship opportunities for Afghan youth and smoother trade transactions.