In a diplomatic first, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a phone conversation with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s acting foreign minister, marking the highest-level engagement between India and the Taliban regime since their return to power in August 2021.
The call comes amid rising regional tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack in India that killed 26 civilians. Jaishankar thanked Muttaqi for strongly condemning the attack and welcomed the Taliban’s rejection of “false and baseless” media reports attempting to sow distrust between India and Afghanistan — an apparent reference to a Pakistani media claim accusing India of plotting a “false flag” operation with the Taliban.
“Good conversation with Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi this evening,” Jaishankar posted on social media. “Deeply appreciate his condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack.”
Muttaqi, in turn, called India a “key regional partner” and underscored the historic nature of Afghanistan-India relations. He expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral ties, boosting trade, and expanding diplomatic engagement.
Key Takeaways from the Call:
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Visas & Prisoners: Muttaqi requested India’s assistance in issuing visas for Afghan patients and traders and called for the release of Afghan prisoners in India.
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Chabahar Port Cooperation: Both sides emphasized development of the Chabahar Port in Iran, a key trade and aid route for Afghanistan that bypasses Pakistan.
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Future Engagements: Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s “traditional friendship” with the Afghan people and pledged continued development support.
The Taliban readout stated that both sides discussed expanding cooperation in political and economic spheres, with a focus on practical diplomacy rather than ideology.
This outreach also follows worsening ties between Pakistan and the Taliban, with Islamabad accusing the Taliban of harboring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants. Pakistan has also alleged—without evidence—that India is using the TTP to launch attacks on Pakistani soil, claims that Indian officials have firmly denied.
With India shutting down its last operational trade route with Afghanistan through Pakistan (Attari), cooperation via Iran’s Chabahar Port could gain urgency. The Taliban are now expected to ramp up their use of maritime routes to reach Indian markets.
This conversation signals a cautious but notable shift in India’s diplomatic approach toward the Taliban, focusing on practical issues like trade, humanitarian access, and regional stability — while continuing to insist on strong action against terrorism.
