New Delhi/Dubai

India has pledged further humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, including material support in the first instance to the health sector and for the rehabilitation of refugees during Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's meeting with the Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Dubai on Wednesday.

This was the first officially approved meeting between an Indian Foreign Secretary and a senior Taliban official. This meeting coincides with the deteriorating relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Pakistan says that many terrorist attacks in its country have been carried out on Afghan soil. It also accuses Kabul of sheltering the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). At the same time, Afghanistan has been rejecting all the allegations of Islamabad.

Amidst all this, the New Delhi-Taliban meeting in Dubai can bring tension to Islamabad.

This is the second time in recent times that there has been an indication of closeness between New Delhi and Kabul. Earlier this week, New Delhi had condemned Pakistan's recent air strike on Afghanistan.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Monday, "We have taken note of media reports of air strikes on Afghan civilians, including women and children, in which many lives have been lost. We categorically condemn any attack on innocent civilians. It is Pakistan's old habit to blame its neighbors for its internal failures. "

About the Dubai meeting, the Ministry of External Affairs said, "The two sides discussed the humanitarian aid being provided to Afghanistan, bilateral issues, and the security situation in the region. India reiterated its commitment to continue providing humanitarian and development assistance to the Afghan people. It was agreed to promote trade and commerce through the Chabahar port. India will also extend its support to the health sector and rehabilitation of refugees in Afghanistan."

Foreign Secy @VikramMisri met Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai today.

Both sides discussed 🇮🇳's ongoing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, bilateral issues and security situation in the region. India reiterated its commitment to… pic.twitter.com/a3UyuIqkAG

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) January 8, 2025

According to media reports, a statement issued by the Afghan Foreign Ministry late on Wednesday said, "In line with Afghanistan's balanced and economy-focused foreign policy, the Islamic Emirate aims to strengthen political and economic relations with India as an important regional and economic partner."

India does not officially recognize the Taliban administration. However, India is one of several countries that has a small mission in Kabul to facilitate trade, aid, and medical assistance and has sent humanitarian aid to Afghanistan under Taliban rule.

Misri and Muttaqi also discussed various issues on bilateral relations as well as regional developments during the significant meeting which took place two days after India severely condemned the recent Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan that killed 46 people, including several women and children.

According to the Ministry of External (MEA), the Foreign Secretary underlined India's historic friendship with the Afghan people and the strong people-to-people contacts between the two countries. In this context, he conveyed India’s readiness to respond to the urgent developmental needs of the Afghan people.

As the two sides evaluated the ongoing Indian humanitarian assistance programs, the Afghan Minister appreciated and thanked the Indian leadership for continuing to engage and support the people of Afghanistan.

"The current need for development activities, it was decided that India would consider engaging in development projects shortly, in addition to the ongoing humanitarian assistance programme," read a statement issued by the MEA.

Acting fast to the needs of the Afghan people, India has so far dispatched several shipments consisting of 50,000 MTs of wheat, 300 tonnes of medicines, 27 tonnes of earthquake relief aid, 40,000 litres of pesticides, 100 million polio doses, 1.5 million doses of Covid vaccine, 11,000 units of hygiene kits for the drug de-addiction programme, 500 units of winter clothing and 1.2 tonnes of stationery kits, over the past few years.

During the meeting, the two sides also discussed strengthening of sports, especially cricket cooperation, which is highly valued by the young generation of Afghanistan.

It was also agreed to promote the use of Chabahar port for supporting trade and commercial activities, including for the purpose of humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan.

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"The Afghan side underlined its sensitivities to India's security concerns. The two sides agreed to remain in touch and continue regular contacts at various levels," the MEA stated.