NEW DELHI: As it looks to mobilise international opinion against Pakistan’s support to cross-border terrorism, the government also briefed the Taliban regime in Afghanistan about the common neighbour’s links with the April 22 Pahalgam attack . According to sources, Taliban’s acting foreign minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi strongly condemned the terrorist attack in a meeting with an Indian delegation headed by MEA joint secretary Anand Prakash, who handles Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran, underscoring the need to punish the perpetrators.
The visit by Prakash came in the middle of soaring India-Pakistan tensions over the attack. India’s ties with the Taliban dispensation in Kabul have improved dramatically in the recent past, contrary to the fear in August 2021 - after the Taliban took over Kabul – that the armed militia would act as a proxy government run by the ISI. All this while, Pakistan’s own ties with the Taliban have seen a stead deterioration, mainly because of the activities of Pakistan Taliban (TTP).
The Taliban, in fact, had categorically condemned the Pahalgam attack last week too, saying such incidents undermine efforts to ensure regional security and stability. Given the current circumstances, Afghanistan is unlikely to allow Pakistan any “strategic depth” that it has always sought in the country in the event of a military conflict with India.
Prakash was in Kabul on Sunday to review progress in bilateral ties and was reported to have conveyed to Muttaqi that India is ready to restart work on its projects in the country and also invest in other infrastructure projects. The Taliban have on several occasions in the past few years assured Indian officials of enough security to allow them to work fearlessly in the country.
According to Kabul, the 2 sides discussed bilateral political relations, trade, transit, and recent regional political developments and Muttaqi again underlined the need for normal issuance of Indian visas to Afghan businessmen, patients and students.
Muttaqi emphasized the expansion of diplomatic and economic relations between Afghanistan and India and stated that there are currently good opportunities for investment in Afghanistan. He encouraged Indian investors to take advantage of these opportunities and invest in Afghanistan, according to an Afghan readout, while seeking facilitation of movement of people between Afghanistan and India.
Prakash, according to Afghanistan, said that India values its relations with Afghanistan and hopes to further expand ties in various areas.
“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 readout.
“In conclusion, both sides emphasized expanding relations, facilitating the exchange of delegation, easing visa issuance, and strengthening bilateral cooperation,” it added.
The visit by Prakash came in the middle of soaring India-Pakistan tensions over the attack. India’s ties with the Taliban dispensation in Kabul have improved dramatically in the recent past, contrary to the fear in August 2021 - after the Taliban took over Kabul – that the armed militia would act as a proxy government run by the ISI. All this while, Pakistan’s own ties with the Taliban have seen a stead deterioration, mainly because of the activities of Pakistan Taliban (TTP).
The Taliban, in fact, had categorically condemned the Pahalgam attack last week too, saying such incidents undermine efforts to ensure regional security and stability. Given the current circumstances, Afghanistan is unlikely to allow Pakistan any “strategic depth” that it has always sought in the country in the event of a military conflict with India.
Prakash was in Kabul on Sunday to review progress in bilateral ties and was reported to have conveyed to Muttaqi that India is ready to restart work on its projects in the country and also invest in other infrastructure projects. The Taliban have on several occasions in the past few years assured Indian officials of enough security to allow them to work fearlessly in the country.
According to Kabul, the 2 sides discussed bilateral political relations, trade, transit, and recent regional political developments and Muttaqi again underlined the need for normal issuance of Indian visas to Afghan businessmen, patients and students.
Muttaqi emphasized the expansion of diplomatic and economic relations between Afghanistan and India and stated that there are currently good opportunities for investment in Afghanistan. He encouraged Indian investors to take advantage of these opportunities and invest in Afghanistan, according to an Afghan readout, while seeking facilitation of movement of people between Afghanistan and India.
Prakash, according to Afghanistan, said that India values its relations with Afghanistan and hopes to further expand ties in various areas.
“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 readout.
“In conclusion, both sides emphasized expanding relations, facilitating the exchange of delegation, easing visa issuance, and strengthening bilateral cooperation,” it added.
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