The Taliban called India a “significant regional and economic partner” after a meeting between senior foreign ministry officials from both countries.
The talks, held in Dubai on Wednesday, are the highest-level engagement since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021.
India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, met the acting Taliban Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, to discuss bilateral relations.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the talks focused on expanding ties in areas such as humanitarian aid, trade, development, sports, cultural relations, and regional security.
“In line with Afghanistan’s balanced and economy-focused foreign policy, the Islamic Emirate aims to strengthen political and economic ties with India as a significant regional and economic partner,” the ministry said in a statement.
India’s foreign ministry said in a statement after the meeting that New Delhi was considering engaging in development projects in Afghanistan and looking to boost trade ties.
India, which hosts thousands of Afghan refugees, also said it will provide “material support” for their rehabilitation.
“In response to the request from the Afghan side, India will provide further material support in the first instance to the health sector and for the rehabilitation of refugees,” India’s foreign ministry said in its statement.
India also offered additional assistance to Afghanistan’s health sector and discussed strengthening ties in sports, especially cricket.
The Indian Foreign Secretary underscored India’s historical friendship with Afghanistan and reaffirmed New Delhi’s readiness to address Afghanistan’s pressing developmental needs.