Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has strongly defended the Taliban government's right to maintain political and economic relations with India, pushing back against Pakistan’s criticism over Kabul-Delhi engagement. Speaking at a conference in Kabul, Muttaqi dismissed Islamabad's accusations that India supports anti-Pakistan groups, calling them inconsistent and politically motivated. He reminded that Pakistan itself maintains diplomatic presence in New Delhi with active trade channels, questioning why Afghanistan engaging with India should spark controversy. His remarks come months after his November 2024 visit to India where he met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi and also visited the historic Darul Uloom Deoband seminary in Uttar Pradesh, a stop that triggered objections from Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Muttaqi asked whether visiting India or Deoband violates any international norms and expressed that Afghanistan’s foreign policy is independent and not targeted against any nation.
The minister noted that Kabul has consistently responded to Pakistan’s concerns over militant groups such as TTP and BLA, yet Islamabad continues to change allegations by later blaming India for involvement. He stated that such claims are unfounded, adding that Afghanistan respects its neighbours and does not wish to be used as a platform for geopolitical hostilities. According to Muttaqi, Afghanistan’s relations with India are based on trade, economic needs, and educational exchanges, and fall within the country’s sovereign rights. He further stressed that Afghanistan will not be a battleground for power politics and wishes for balanced diplomacy with all nations.
Relations between Islamabad and the Taliban administration have been tense in recent months, particularly after Pakistan conducted airstrikes inside Afghan territory which left civilian casualties. Pakistan repeatedly accuses Afghanistan of harbouring TTP militants responsible for rising attacks, while Kabul denies the allegations and asserts that no group will be allowed to use Afghan soil against neighbours. Muttaqi emphasized that Afghanistan has never insulted Pakistan publicly and respects its ethnic composition and social conditions. He clarified that Kabul’s engagement with India or any other nation is within its sovereign space and not aimed at undermining Pakistan.
As Taliban leaders continue to expand diplomatic outreach, including India as a key trade and dialogue partner, Pakistan appears uneasy with the growing Kabul-Delhi proximity. Analysts suggest that Afghanistan is steering toward multi-directional foreign relations rather than relying solely on traditional partners. The leadership in Kabul insists that maintaining ties with India supports economic recovery, education links, and regional cooperation. With the Taliban openly asserting its right to independent diplomacy, the India-Afghanistan engagement is set to grow despite Pakistan’s discomfort, marking a shifting power dynamic in South Asia’s strategic landscape.
