In a significant diplomatic outreach, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar spoke with Taliban’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Thursday — marking the first formal ministerial-level interaction between India and Afghanistan’s Taliban administration.

The conversation follows Afghanistan’s strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 Indian civilians, mostly tourists, were killed by Pakistan-linked terrorists. Posting on social media platform X, Dr. Jaishankar said he “deeply appreciated” Mr. Muttaqi’s condemnation and underlined India's longstanding friendship with the Afghan people. He also welcomed Afghanistan’s rejection of false Pakistani media reports seeking to sow distrust between the two countries.

According to Taliban spokesperson Hafiz Zia Ahmad, the two leaders discussed enhanced visa access for Afghan nationals, the release of Afghan prisoners in India, increased bilateral trade, and the development of Iran’s Chabahar Port — a critical trade route for landlocked Afghanistan amid suspended India-Pakistan trade ties.

India has yet to officially recognise the Taliban regime, but has progressively engaged Kabul since the group’s return to power in 2021. Key Indian diplomatic engagements include visits to Kabul by senior officials like Anand Prakash and JP Singh, as well as high-level talks in Dubai earlier this year involving Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

India has also permitted the Taliban to staff Afghan missions in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, easing consular access for Afghan nationals in India.

In humanitarian aid, New Delhi has provided over 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat, medicines, vaccines, and disaster relief since 2021. Thursday’s call signals growing diplomatic pragmatism, as India continues its outreach to ensure regional stability, promote humanitarian support, and counter false narratives from Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.

In a significant diplomatic outreach, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar spoke with Taliban’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Thursday — marking the first formal ministerial-level interaction between India and Afghanistan’s Taliban administration.

The conversation follows Afghanistan’s strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 Indian civilians, mostly tourists, were killed by Pakistan-linked terrorists. Posting on social media platform X, Dr. Jaishankar said he “deeply appreciated” Mr. Muttaqi’s condemnation and underlined India's longstanding friendship with the Afghan people. He also welcomed Afghanistan’s rejection of false Pakistani media reports seeking to sow distrust between the two countries.

According to Taliban spokesperson Hafiz Zia Ahmad, the two leaders discussed enhanced visa access for Afghan nationals, the release of Afghan prisoners in India, increased bilateral trade, and the development of Iran’s Chabahar Port — a critical trade route for landlocked Afghanistan amid suspended India-Pakistan trade ties.

India has yet to officially recognise the Taliban regime, but has progressively engaged Kabul since the group’s return to power in 2021. Key Indian diplomatic engagements include visits to Kabul by senior officials like Anand Prakash and JP Singh, as well as high-level talks in Dubai earlier this year involving Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

India has also permitted the Taliban to staff Afghan missions in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, easing consular access for Afghan nationals in India.

In humanitarian aid, New Delhi has provided over 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat, medicines, vaccines, and disaster relief since 2021. Thursday’s call signals growing diplomatic pragmatism, as India continues its outreach to ensure regional stability, promote humanitarian support, and counter false narratives from Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.