The Taliban government has said that Afghanistan views India as an “important regional and economic partner”. Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met in Dubai on Wednesday.
The Taliban took power in 2021 after nearly two decades of war. It was the first meeting between the most senior officials of the Taliban government and a top-level official in Delhi.
The Afghan Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the two countries discussed expanding relations with Afghanistan and increasing trade through Iran’s Chabahar port. India has invested in the Chabahar port to import and export goods, bypassing rival Pakistan’s Karachi and Gwadar ports.
“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan intends to strengthen political and economic ties with India as an important regional and economic partner as part of Afghanistan’s balanced and economic priorities foreign policy,” the statement said. ’
After the meeting, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said New Delhi was considering engaging with development projects in Afghanistan and was focusing on boosting trade ties.
So far, no country, including India, has recognized the Taliban government. However, some countries, including India, are carrying out small-scale official activities in Kabul. Through this, these countries have been carrying out commercial and humanitarian activities under the Taliban government.