Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar engaged in an official conversation with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting foreign minister of the Taliban-led Afghan regime for the first time on Thursday. The dialogue prominently featured topics such as India-Afghanistan's traditional friendship, developmental cooperation, and the stern condemnation of the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack.
In this landmark discussion, Jaishankar emphasized India's enduring alliance with the Afghan populace and reiterated the commitment to support their developmental needs. Notably, India has yet to officially recognize the Taliban regime.
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The discussion occurred after the Taliban's public condemnation of the Pahalgam attack, where 26 individuals lost their lives in Jammu and Kashmir on May 7, involving Pakistan-backed terrorists.
Following the talks, Jaishankar took to the social media platform 'X' saying, "Had a good discussion with Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaqi. Grateful for condemning the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Reiterated our traditional friendship and development commitment with the Afghan people. Discussed measures to enhance cooperation."
This marks the first official political dialogue between India and the Taliban, while India still holds back from formally recognizing the Taliban government. Earlier, in January 2025, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Muttaqi in Dubai.
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Such contact dates back to 1999-2000, when Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh communicated with the then-Taliban Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil during the Kandahar plane hijacking incident. Experts view this dialogue as part of India's strategic diplomacy, aiming to maintain direct communication with the Taliban while fostering ties with the Afghan people and ensuring regional stability. This step epitomizes India's longstanding commitment to the Afghan public and highlights its proactive role in the evolving geopolitical dynamics of the region.
Through this engagement, India is not only strengthening its ties with the Afghans but also positioning itself as a key player in the reshaped regional geopolitics.
