The visit of Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, to New Delhi is more than just a routine diplomatic engagement — it’s a bold reaffirmation of India-Afghanistan civilisational ties, enduring friendship, and strategic cooperation. At a time when regional tensions are running high, this visit sends a clear signal to Pakistan and China that India’s partnership with Afghanistan is resilient, principled, and impervious to external pressures.

During high-level discussions with External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar, both countries emphasised their firm commitment to peace, stability, and regional cooperation. India’s support for Afghanistan is multifaceted, extending across healthcare, infrastructure, capacity-building, humanitarian aid, and education. From gifting twenty ambulances and establishing healthcare centres to offering scholarships for Afghan students, India is demonstrating that its engagement goes beyond diplomacy — it is an investment in human development, long-term stability, and people-to-people ties.

Equally significant is the reaffirmation of sovereignty and security. Afghanistan’s commitment that its territory will not be used against India is a rare display of trust in a region dominated by covert rivalries and proxy conflicts. This explicit pledge underscores a partnership rooted in mutual respect and shared security interests — an enduring partnership that stands firm against attempts to destabilise it.

Muttaqi’s engagements outside formal diplomacy — including interactions with scholars, visits to Darul Uloom Deoband, as well as cultural and business meetings — highlight the deep historical roots of India-Afghanistan ties. These connections are not transactional; they are interwoven with centuries of shared culture, literature, and trade — ties that survive political upheavals and external pressures.

Economically, this visit signals an ambitious agenda. Afghan traders are set to meet Muttaqi in New Delhi to explore trade in sectors ranging from dry fruits and pharmaceuticals to infrastructure. Furthermore, India has been invited to invest in Afghanistan’s vast mineral wealth — from copper and lithium to gold and marble. These initiatives underscore Afghanistan’s intent to diversify its economic partnerships and reduce dependency on hostile neighbours.

Coming amid strained Kabul-Islamabad relations and Pakistan’s recent cross-border operation targeting alleged Taliban-linked camps, the timing of Muttaqi’s visit adds a geopolitical dimension. The outreach to New Delhi comes as a deliberate assertion of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and a strategic recalibration in favour of India. For Pakistan, it’s a clear reminder that attempts to influence Afghan policy are no longer effective, and for China, it highlights that India remains a steadfast partner in regional stability.

India’s upgradation of its Technical Mission in Kabul to a full-fledged embassy further cements its long-term commitment to Afghanistan’s development, sovereignty, and stability. In a region where trust is rare, India-Afghanistan relations exemplify resilience, mutual respect, and strategic foresight.

The discussions also emphasised important issues like sovereignty, territorial integrity, and mutual security. Afghanistan’s commitment to ensuring that its territory is never used against India sends a clear and unequivocal message to regional actors who have historically sought to undermine stability by nurturing armed groups to wage proxy wars in neighbouring countries. In an era where strategic alignments are constantly being tested, this level of trust and cooperation........

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