NEW DELHI: India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, held a productive phone conversation with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, on the evening of May 15. The dialogue, announced by Dr. Jaishankar in an X post, focused on condemning a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, countering misinformation, and advancing bilateral cooperation.
“Welcomed his firm rejection of recent attempts to create distrust between India and Afghanistan through false and baseless reports,” wrote Jaishankar on X.
A key highlight of the conversation was Afghanistan’s condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
This gesture underscores Afghanistan’s sensitivity to India’s security challenges, particularly in light of shared regional threats from groups like the Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K).
The ministers also addressed attempts to sow discord through “false and baseless reports.” These reports, though unspecified, likely refer to disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining India’s developmental contributions in Afghanistan or portraying bilateral ties as strained.
Dr. Jaishankar reiterated India’s “traditional friendship” with the Afghan people, a cornerstone of bilateral ties. India has invested over $3 billion in Afghanistan’s reconstruction since 2001, funding landmark projects such as the Afghan Parliament building, the Salma Dam (renamed the Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam), and the Chabahar port terminal in Iran, which facilitates Afghan trade. Humanitarian aid, including 50,000 metric tons of wheat and medical supplies since 2021, has been critical amid Afghanistan’s ongoing economic crisis.
“Underlined our traditional friendship with the Afghan people and continuing support for their development needs. Discussed ways and means of taking cooperation forward,” Jaishankar added.
The dialogue occurs against a backdrop of complex regional dynamics. Afghanistan, under Taliban rule since August 2021, faces international isolation, a humanitarian crisis, and security threats from IS-K. India, meanwhile, contends with cross-border terrorism and geopolitical tensions, particularly with Pakistan and China. The Pahalgam attack, while unattributed, has heightened India’s vigilance, given the region’s history of militancy.
The conversation reinforces India’s pragmatic engagement with the Taliban-led administration, balancing humanitarian and developmental goals with concerns about governance and human rights.
However, challenges remain, including navigating international sanctions on the Taliban and addressing domestic concerns in India about the Taliban’s policies, particularly on women’s rights.
The Jaishankar-Muttaqi dialogue paves the way for sustained engagement, potentially through multilateral platforms or bilateral channels. India’s priorities include scaling up humanitarian assistance, restarting infrastructure projects, and promoting regional connectivity via Chabahar. For Afghanistan, India’s support offers a lifeline amid economic and diplomatic isolation.
This exchange underscores the resilience of India-Afghanistan ties, rooted in decades of mutual goodwill. As both nations navigate a turbulent regional landscape, their commitment to cooperation remains a vital anchor for stability and progress.
