A significant meeting took place in Dubai on Wednesday between senior Indian officials and the Afghan Taliban leadership. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri represented India, while Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting foreign minister of the Taliban, attended on behalf of Afghanistan.
The discussions aimed to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance cooperation across various sectors, including humanitarian aid, trade, and cultural ties. Despite India's limited engagement with Afghanistan since the Taliban's takeover in 2021, the meeting reflects a renewed effort to foster connections. Both sides specifically discussed the use of the Chabahar Port in Iran as a critical supply route for goods entering Afghanistan.
Misri emphasized India's historical ties with Afghanistan and its commitment to ongoing humanitarian assistance. The Taliban expressed appreciation for India's support and assured cooperation regarding regional security concerns. The meeting comes shortly after India condemned recent Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan that resulted in civilian casualties, further highlighting the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region.