Amir Khan Muttaqi, Afghanistan’s foreign minister, landed in Saharanpur in northern India on Saturday and was greeted with a warm welcome at Darul Uloom Deoband, a prominent Islamic seminary. The visit was seen by officials as a sign that India‑Afghanistan ties are on a positive path.
During his stay the Afghan minister thanked the local ulema and the town’s residents for the spirited welcome. “The future of our two countries looks very bright,” he told , underlining the growing diplomatic rapport between Kabul and New Delhi.
The itinerary included a public address to students in Deoband, followed by a trip to the Taj Mahalla in Agra on Sunday. The poor but prosperous town of Saharanpur offers a fitting backdrop for talks that frame India’s broader strategy in the region.
India has long been a leading investor in Afghan development. The minister’s visit highlighted plans to boost economic ties, expand trade and deepen investment. The two sides also discussed shared security concerns and cultural cooperation, with a particular focus on Pakistan’s role in the region.
Last month, Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar met Muttaqi ahead of the Saharanpur trip. In their discussion, the leaders promised to heighten collaboration in healthcare, public infrastructure and capacity‑building. Indian‑funded projects in Kabul include a new Thalassemia Centre, a modern diagnostic facility, a replacement heating system at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, a 30‑bed hospital in Bagrami, an oncology centre, a trauma centre and five maternity health clinics in the provinces of Paktika, Khost and Paktia.
Both leaders stressed respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Afghanistan pledged to keep its territory free from pro‑India extremist activities, while India reaffirmed its longstanding friendship and support for Afghanistan’s development.
With these visits and agreements, India and Afghanistan are stepping up a partnership that blends diplomatic goodwill with tangible economic and humanitarian projects.
Source: aninews
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