Indian and Afghan officials meet again despite lack of formal diplomatic ties

A senior Indian foreign ministry official met with Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister on Wednesday, marking the second time in two months that the two sides have met to discuss practical matters such as commerce and humanitarian aid, despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations. India’s foreign ministry stated that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi during a visit to the United Arab Emirates.

India’s statement indicated that Misri expressed India's willingness to respond to Afghanistan's urgent humanitarian and development needs. They also discussed how the Afghan business community could utilize Iran’s Chabahar Port for the import and export of goods involving India. Previously, in November, an Indian delegation led by J.P. Singh, a joint secretary in the foreign ministry responsible for Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran affairs, visited Kabul and met with acting Defense Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid and other ministers, as well as former President Hamid Karzai and heads of UN agencies.

No country has recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan since the withdrawal of the United States and other forces in 2021 led to the fall of Afghanistan. India has stated that it will follow the guidance of the United Nations on this matter. Wednesday's meeting comes amid heightened tensions between Afghanistan and its neighbor Pakistan, which launched an operation last week in Afghanistan's eastern Paktika province, destroying a training facility and killing insurgents. The attack resulted in dozens of deaths, mainly women and children.

Islamabad frequently claims that the Pakistani Taliban uses Afghan territory to launch attacks in Pakistan, an accusation that Kabul denies. Afghanistan’s defense ministry stated on Saturday that its forces had carried out retaliatory strikes in several areas inside Pakistan. India and Pakistan have long been rivals, having fought three wars since gaining independence from Britain in 1947, largely over control of Kashmir.

India’s statement said that on Wednesday, the Afghan side highlighted its sensitivity to India’s security concerns and stated that they “agreed to remain in touch and continue regular engagement at various levels.” The two sides also assessed ongoing Indian humanitarian assistance projects. India stated that it is providing additional support to Afghanistan’s health sector and for the resettlement of refugees. They also discussed enhancing sports links, particularly in cricket. Since 2022, India has maintained a technical team in Kabul to monitor and coordinate the delivery of humanitarian aid.