خوشبینی امیرخان متقی به بهبود روابط با هند

As part of the Islamic Emirate’s ongoing efforts to strengthen regional relations, Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, stated during a press conference at the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi that the Islamic Emirate is pursuing a balanced and economy-focused policy to enhance engagement with India.

He added that in his meeting with his Indian counterpart, they discussed cooperation in combating drug trafficking, security issues, Indian investment in Afghanistan, and increasing trade volume between the two countries.

Muttaqi said: “Over the past four years, relations between Afghanistan and India have steadily improved, and we’ve heard that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs intends to upgrade its diplomatic mission in Kabul to the level of an embassy.”

Addressing Kabul’s relationship with Islamabad, Muttaqi noted that there are specific circles within Pakistan attempting to undermine relations between the two nations.

He stressed that the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has no presence on Afghan soil, and what Islamabad considers a threat are, in fact, internally displaced people from within Pakistan itself.

Muttaqi added: “There is no issue between us and the Pakistani people or politicians. However, some specific groups within Pakistan are trying to destabilize the situation. Afghanistan protects its borders, airspace, and sovereign rights, and any violation will be responded to immediately.”

The Afghan foreign minister also stated that Kabul is not against education, and that girls’ education has not been declared forbidden in Afghanistan. However, some segments of girls’ education have been suspended until further notice.

He emphasized that there are currently 10 million students enrolled in schools across Afghanistan, of whom at least 2.8 million are girls.

Meanwhile, Pakistan objected to a part of a previous joint statement issued by India and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, arguing that the inclusion of Jammu and Kashmir as part of Indian territory violates United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Zohurullah Zaheer, a political analyst, said: “Since gaining independence from India, Pakistan has never welcomed Afghanistan’s relations with India.”

This visit marks the first time in four years that a high-ranking delegation from the Islamic Emirate, led by Amir Khan Muttaqi, has traveled to India and held meetings with Indian officials.

Experts suggest that this visit could open a new chapter in Kabul–New Delhi relations.