India’s external affairs minister said New Delhi’s policy toward Afghanistan remains focused on the Afghan people, pledging continued humanitarian and development assistance despite growing diplomatic engagement with the Taliban.
Speaking at a public event, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar described Afghanistan’s situation as difficult and said India would continue providing development aid, food assistance and medical support. He said India’s engagement with Afghanistan was rooted in long-standing social and civilisational ties and driven by practical considerations.
“Afghanistan is going through a very hard time,” Jaishankar said. “Our engagement has to be seen from a people-centric or society-centric perspective. When we work with Afghanistan on development issues, on matters such as vaccines or food, that cooperation is based on logic.”
Jaishankar also described as positive a recent visit to New Delhi by Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, underscoring India’s willingness to maintain contacts aimed at humanitarian support and regional connectivity.
India’s comments come as ties between the Taliban and Pakistan have sharply deteriorated, while contacts between New Delhi and the Taliban have increased. Over the past three months, three senior Taliban officials — including their foreign minister, commerce minister and their health minister — have visited India.
The visits were aimed at boosting diplomatic engagement, exploring alternative trade and transit routes, attracting Indian investment and facilitating access to medicines, according to Taliban statements.
India has pursued a cautious engagement policy with the Taliban, accepting a Taliban-appointed representative at Afghanistan’s embassy in New Delhi and signalling a willingness to upgrade the level of diplomatic interaction. Some regional analysts say New Delhi is seeking to strengthen its political and security position in the region amid strained Taliban-Pakistan relations, though India has not formally recognised the Taliban administration.
