India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday held a phone conversation with Taliban foreign minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, offering condolences after a powerful earthquake struck northern Afghanistan near Mazar-e-Sharif and affected Balkh, Samangan and Baghlan provinces.
Jaishankar said Indian relief supplies had been handed over to Afghan authorities, with additional medical aid on the way. He noted progress in bilateral ties since Muttaqi’s recent visit to New Delhi and welcomed strengthening people-to-people contacts.
The leaders also discussed the regional security environment amid rising tensions between Kabul and Islamabad following deadly border clashes. India has publicly backed Afghanistan’s sovereignty in recent statements while sharply criticising Pakistan for alleged cross-border terrorism.
New Delhi recently upgraded its «technical mission» in Kabul to a full embassy, signalling a cautious but significant step toward normalising engagement with the Taliban regime. However, India has not yet permitted the Taliban flag to be hoisted at the Afghan Embassy in the capital.
The Taliban returned to power in August 2021, prompting India to evacuate embassy personnel. New Delhi restored a limited diplomatic presence in mid-2022 as contacts with the Taliban leadership grew.
Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Iran’s leader rules out talks unless Washington changes policy on Israel and regional forces, as tensions rise after US strikes and worsening regional instability.
