India has historical and civilizational ties with the Afghan people, says the MEA
An Indian delegation currently visiting Afghanistan has held discussions on humanitarian assistance as well as the use of Chabahar port (in Iran) by Afghan traders, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday. 
 
The team, led by MEA Joint Secretary (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran) JP Singh, has had meetings with senior Afghan authorities. The delegation also met former president Hamid Karzai, United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan officials, and members of the Afghan business community, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
 
Responding to a question on the recent meetings between Indian officials and Taliban representatives in Afghanistan during the weekly media briefing, Jaiswal said, "The delegation held discussions on India's humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan and also discussed the use of the Chabahar Port by Afghan traders”.

"As you're aware, India opened its technical mission in Kabul in June 2022, and since then, the mission is facilitating and coordinating our ongoing humanitarian assistance endeavours," he pointed out.
 
He added that India has historical and civilizational ties with the Afghan people, and these long-standing linkages will continue to guide the country's approach towards Afghanistan.
 
On Thursday, MEA Joint Secretary Singh called on
Taliban-appointed Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and is reported to have expressed New Delhi's willingness to expand relations with Kabul and promote trade through Chabahar Port. In the meeting, both leaders discussed India-Afghan bilateral relations and economic and transit issues between the two countries.

"The MEA Joint Secretary of the Republic of India for Af-Ir-Pak, JP Singh, called on IEA-Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi. The meeting focused on in-depth discussions on bilateral Afghanistan-India relations, economic and transit matters, fighting ISKP & corruption in the country," Taliban-controlled Afghanistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi posted on social media platform X.
"Singh said that India is interested in expanding political & economic cooperation with Afghanistan, & enhancing trade via Chabahar Port," he added.

According to Balkhi, Minister Muttaqi expressed gratitude for India's humanitarian assistance and sought to strengthen political and economic relations between the two countries.

 "Extending gratitude to India for its humanitarian assistance, FM Muttaqi said that, in line with our balanced foreign policy, IEA seeks to strengthen political & economic relations with India as an important actor in the region. In the end, FM Muttaqi urged India's Joint Secretary to facilitate the visa issuance process for Afghan businessmen, patients and students," the Taliban Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson posted on X.