DUBAI — India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, held talks with the Taliban’s foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Dubai on Wednesday, marking the first officially acknowledged meeting between an Indian foreign secretary and a senior Taliban official.
The discussions focused on bilateral relations, regional developments, and Afghanistan’s humanitarian and developmental needs, India’s External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry emphasized India’s “historic friendship” with the Afghan people. It reaffirmed India’s readiness to address Afghanistan’s pressing developmental needs while evaluating its ongoing humanitarian assistance programs.
Muttaqi expressed gratitude for India’s continued support and engagement, the statement said.
According to the statement, India pledged additional material support to Afghanistan’s health sector and refugee rehabilitation programs. The two sides also explored opportunities to enhance cooperation in sports, particularly cricket, which resonates strongly with Afghanistan’s younger population.
The use of Iran’s Chabahar port, which is operated by an Indian state-run firm, was another key topic of discussion. Both sides agreed to promote the port as a hub for trade and humanitarian aid delivery, reflecting its growing strategic importance.
The statement said that the Taliban assured India of its sensitivity to New Delhi’s security concerns, including the presence of Pakistan-based militant groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Afghanistan. India has consistently emphasized the importance of ensuring that Afghan territory is not used by anti-India elements.
The meeting comes amid heightened regional tensions following Pakistan’s recent airstrikes in Afghanistan, which reportedly killed at least 46 civilians, including women and children. India has condemned the attacks, accusing Islamabad of deflecting from its internal challenges through such actions.
The statement said that both sides agreed to maintain regular contact and explore new opportunities for cooperation, including potential development projects in addition to ongoing aid efforts.
