Vikram Misri Meets Taliban Minister: India on Wednesday (January 08, 2025) said it will consider getting involved in development projects in Afghanistan and assist the country in the health sector. India’s statement came after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s talks with Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Aamir Khan Muttaki in Dubai.
This was the first public conversation between the Foreign Secretary and a senior Taliban minister and in it the Afghan side underlined its “sensitivity” to India’s security concerns. “Today Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held a meeting with Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaki in Dubai,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
Consensus reached on promoting the use of Charbah port
In response to the request of the Afghan side, India will provide more assistance in the first phase in the health sector and rehabilitation of refugees. The Ministry of External Affairs said, “It was also agreed to promote the use of Chabahar port for cooperation in trade and commercial activities, including for the purpose of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.” The Misri-Muttaki talks included India’s response to Pakistani air strikes in Afghanistan. This happened two days after strong condemnation from the side. Dozens of civilians were killed in the attack.
India has not recognized the Taliban government
India has not yet recognized the Taliban government of Afghanistan and is advocating the formation of an inclusive government in Kabul. India is also emphasizing that Afghanistan’s soil should not be used for terrorist activities against any country. It is learned that India is concerned about the presence of terrorist elements belonging to Pakistani terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Afghanistan.
The External Affairs Ministry said the two sides discussed various issues related to bilateral relations as well as regional developments. “The Foreign Secretary noted India’s historic friendship with the Afghan people and the strong ties between the people of the two countries,” the External Affairs Ministry said. “In this context, he conveyed India’s readiness to meet the immediate developmental needs of the Afghan people,” the statement said.
India has been helping Afghanistan for the last few years
The statement said that India will also consider getting involved in development projects in addition to humanitarian aid programs in the near future. India has been providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan for the last few years. India has so far sent several consignments including 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat, 300 tonnes of medicines, 27 tonnes of earthquake relief aid, 40,000 liters of pesticides, 10 crore doses of polio, 15 lakh doses of Covid vaccine, and 1.2 tonnes of stationery kits.
The Ministry of External Affairs said that both sides also evaluated Indian humanitarian assistance programs in Afghanistan. The statement said, “The Afghan Minister appreciated and thanked the Indian leadership for staying connected with and supporting the people of Afghanistan.” The statement said that both sides agreed to strengthen sports (cricket) cooperation. Also discussed, which the young generation of Afghanistan gives great importance to. The Foreign Ministry said that both sides have agreed to remain in touch and continue regular contacts at various levels.
Also read: Yesterday India admitted that it had carried out airstrike and today Pakistan threatened this country with airstrike, said – will attack if necessary.