Kabul has firmly rejected Islamabad’s allegations that India played any role in the recent border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Afghanistan’s Defence Minister Mohammad Yaqoob termed Pakistan’s accusations as “unfounded, illogical, and unacceptable,” asserting that Kabul seeks to strengthen ties with New Delhi “within the framework of our national interests.”

“Our policy will never involve using Afghan territory against any other nation. We maintain relations with India as an independent country and will continue to do so,” said Yaqoob, son of Taliban founder Mullah Omar. He added that Afghanistan remains committed to good neighbourly ties with Pakistan, stressing that “mutual respect and non-interference” are essential for peace. Yaqoob urged Qatar and Turkey to assist in monitoring the peace agreement’s implementation, warning that it would collapse if territorial sovereignty was violated.

Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan escalated after October 11, following explosions in Kabul during Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s unprecedented visit to India. Subsequent Taliban offensives along the southern border prompted Islamabad to threaten retaliation. Pakistan accused the Afghan Taliban of providing safe havens to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a charge Kabul denies, blaming Pakistan’s airstrikes for triggering hostilities.

The cross-border clashes have displaced civilians and disrupted trade at the Torkham and Chaman crossings. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif accused the Taliban of “sitting in India’s lap” and waging “India’s proxy war.”

India dismissed the claims, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stating that Pakistan “hosts and sponsors terrorism” and routinely blames its neighbours for internal failures. While New Delhi has not officially recognised the Taliban regime, it has cautiously re-engaged with Kabul through diplomatic-level talks, signalling a pragmatic recalibration of regional ties.