In a significant diplomatic initiative, an Indian delegation met with Afghanistan's Acting Defense Minister, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, to propose the strategic use of Iran's Chabahar Port for Afghanistan's burgeoning business sector. This meeting also covered discussions on increasing India's humanitarian aid to Kabul. The delegation was led by J P Singh, Joint Secretary of the Department of Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran in India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
Foreign Ministry Reveals Key Details
During the weekly media briefing on Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal outlined that besides meeting with Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, the Indian delegation interacted with former President Hamid Karzai, other senior ministers, and heads of UN agencies.
Jaiswal remarked, 'The primary focus of their dialogue was on how Afghanistan's trade community could effectively utilize the Chabahar Port and the ongoing humanitarian assistance by India.'
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India Has Not Recognized the Taliban
Despite not officially recognizing the Taliban regime that took control of Afghanistan in 2021, India has continually extended humanitarian support, which includes supplying wheat, medicines, and medical supplies.
Jaiswal added, "I wish to underscore that providing humanitarian aid to Afghanistan is a crucial facet of our aid agenda. Over the months and years, numerous consignments of aid materials have been sent. We share deep ties with the people of Afghanistan, and these ties consistently guide our policy decisions."
Earlier this year, India entered into a 10-year agreement for the development and operation of the strategically pivotal Chabahar Port with Iran, underscored by Indian support.
