In a landmark development, the Taliban have acknowledged India as a “significant regional and economic partner,” marking the highest-level dialogue between the two nations since the Taliban assumed power in Afghanistan in 2021.
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with Taliban’s acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Dubai on Wednesday to discuss bilateral cooperation. The talks, held at a senior diplomatic level, signaled a potential shift in Afghanistan-India relations.
Afghanistan’s foreign ministry issued a statement emphasizing their interest in fostering stronger political and economic ties with India. The discussions reportedly focused on boosting trade and leveraging Iran’s Chabahar Port, a strategic project India has been developing to facilitate trade while bypassing Pakistan’s ports in Karachi and Gwadar.
“The Islamic Emirate seeks to enhance political and economic relations with India as part of its balanced and economy-driven foreign policy,” the statement declared.
Chabahar Port is crucial for India’s regional trade strategy, providing a direct route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, circumventing logistical challenges posed by its rivalry with Pakistan. For the Taliban, expanding economic cooperation with India could help stabilize Afghanistan’s war-ravaged economy and integrate it further into regional trade networks.
This meeting reflects a pragmatic approach by both sides to prioritize economic diplomacy and regional collaboration, signaling potential progress in their historically complicated relationship.
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PRESS UPDATE