New Delhi, April 27 (NVI) In a significant development amidst increasing tensions between India and Pakistan, a senior Indian delegation today held a meeting with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul and discussed expansion of bilateral relations.
During the cordial meeting, head of the Indian delegation Anand Prakash emphasized the importance of expanding relations with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
Prakash is the Joint Secretary in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, handling its Pakistan, Afghanistan & Iran (PAI) Division.
A statement issued by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said both sides discussed strengthening bilateral political, trade, and transit ties.
The two sides exchanged views on regional issues, it said.
Muttaqi stressed the need to boost diplomatic and economic cooperation between the two countries, the statement said.
Muttaqi highlighted Afghanistan’s investment opportunities and called on Indian businesses to invest in the country.
Prakash reaffirmed India’s support for Afghanistan and announced plans to invest in several infrastructure projects and resume work on initiatives that had been stalled for some time.
Both sides agreed to enhance bilateral engagement, continue high-level visits, and ease visa issuance for Afghan citizens.
India has recently resumed its engagements with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Kabul and held a delegation-level meeting with Muttaqi in January this year.
It was the first formal interaction with Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021.
“Anand Prakash said his country values its relations with Afghanistan and hopes to further expand ties in various areas,” the statement said.
“He mentioned that India will continue its cooperation with Afghanistan and wishes to invest in some infrastructure projects, as well as resume work on some projects that have been stalled for some time,” said the statement.
During this meeting, both the groups discussed bilateral political relations between the two countries, along with trade, transit, and recent regional political developments, it said.
The meeting and the mutual interest to enhance bilateral cooperation assumes major significance as both the countries are troubled by Pakistan, located between them.
Pakistan has been repeatedly rebuking and insulting the Taliban regime and Afghans in general and the border between them remains volatile. (NVI)
