India has established direct contact with the Taliban in Afghanistan as part of its ongoing humanitarian endeavours and for early completion of the Chabahar Port in Iran that provides it a direct link to the war-torn nation, bypassing Pakistan.
The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday confirmed that an Indian delegation, led by Mr J P Singh, Joint Secretary (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran Division) in the ministry, is on a visit to Afghanistan.
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”As you are aware, India opened its Technical Mission in Kabul in June 2022 and since then the Mission is facilitating and coordinating our ongoing humanitarian assistance endeavours,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a media briefing.
During the visit, the delegation held meetings with senior members of the Afghan authorities, including Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mottaqi. The delegation also met former President Hamid Karzai, UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) officials and members of the Afghan business community.
The delegation held discussions on India’s humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan and also discussed the use of Chabahar Port by Afghan traders.
India has historical and civilisational ties with the Afghan people and these longstanding linkages will continue to guide our approach, the spokesperson added.
