Afghanistan’s foreign minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, visited New Delhi on Thursday‑Friday for a week‑long trip that marked the first high‑level Afghan delegation to India since the Taliban took power in August 2021.
During talks, the Afghan and Indian governments agreed to set up a trade committee to boost economic ties. The Afghan side says that openings in investment, minerals and energy in Afghanistan create plenty of opportunities for Indian companies. “We invited the Indian side to explore work in these areas,” Muttaqi said, underscoring the potential for more business and investment between the two countries.
India’s outreach has been steady. In April, special envoy Anand Prakash visited Kabul to discuss politics and trade. Earlier this year, the Afghan foreign minister met the Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in Dubai, and later he briefed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Delhi on a wide range of issues, from economic cooperation to regional security.
Jaishankar confirmed that India plans to upgrade its mission in Kabul to an embassy, a status the embassy had lost after the Taliban seized control in 2021. The upgrade signals a deeper diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan.
In a gesture of goodwill, Jaishankar handed over five ambulances to the Afghan foreign minister in the capital. The five units are part of a larger gift of 20 ambulances and other medical equipment, highlighting India’s long‑standing support for Afghan people, especially after recent earthquakes.
Muttaqi thanked India for the warm welcome and hospitality. “I am glad to be in Delhi as Afghanistan’s foreign minister,” he said. His visit highlights India’s interest in Afghanistan’s development, security, and economic progress.
The trade committee and the embassy upgrade are designed to streamline air corridors, strengthen health cooperation, and create a new framework for bilateral trade and investment. These steps could open up Afghan markets for Indian businesses and deepen regional ties in South Asia.
Source: aninews
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