In a strong diplomatic message to the region, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Friday reaffirmed India-Afghanistan ties while taking a subtle dig at Pakistan. The meeting took place in New Delhi and highlighted shared concerns over regional security and cross-border terrorism.
Muttaqi emphasized Afghanistan’s independent stance, saying, “We will not allow any troops to threaten or use our territory against others. This is a challenge for the region, and Afghanistan is at the forefront.” He recalled that during the American occupation, Afghanistan maintained good relations with India and avoided hostile statements.
Highlighting humanitarian cooperation, Muttaqi praised India as a “first responder” during the recent earthquake and expressed his desire for closer trade, people-to-people exchanges, and mutual respect between the two nations. “We are ready to create a consultative mechanism of understanding, which helps towards strengthening our relations,” he added.
Taking a veiled dig at Pakistan, Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s unwavering support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. He stressed that both countries face shared threats from cross-border terrorism and must coordinate closely to ensure regional stability and resilience. “We appreciate your sensitivity towards India’s security concerns,” he noted.
