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New Delhi: For the first time, Afghanistan’s embassy in New Delhi on Monday (August 17) hosted a celebration marking the Taliban’s return to power, with the chargé d’affaires appointed by Kabul invoking a deepening Afghanistan-India relationship while speaking in front of the Taliban’s white flag bearing black Islamic inscriptions, and an Indian foreign ministry official attending as the chief guest.

Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor, the Taliban-appointed chargé d’affaires at the Afghan embassy, delivered a speech at the reception marking the fifth anniversary of what the Taliban calls its “Victory Day” – which falls on August 15 – when the insurgent group seized Kabul in 2021 following the withdrawal of US and NATO forces.

Anand Prakash, the joint secretary in charge of the Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran division in the Ministry of External Affairs, was the chief guest at the event. The reception was also attended by diplomats from countries in Afghanistan’s neighbourhood, including Iran, Central Asian nations and Arab states.

“For centuries, Afghanistan and India have remained connected through trade, transit, sports and a shared cultural heritage,” Noor said in his speech delivered in Pashto, referring to the historical links between the two countries and describing their shared past as a source of inspiration for the future.

Noor stood next to the Taliban’s white-and-black flag on the dais and a large screen carrying the words “5th Anniversary of the Victory Day” and the theme “From Victory to Regional Economic Connectivity”.

“The ancient cities of Afghanistan, such as Kabul, Herat and Kandahar, welcomed Indian traders and caravans, while Indian cities such as Delhi and Lahore benefited from the influence of Afghan scholars, poets and Sufis. In the political sphere as well, the two countries influenced one another in their struggles for freedom and independence from British colonial rule,” he said.

Asserting that bilateral relations had made “significant progress” in recent years, he pointed to expanded diplomatic contacts, “more active” embassies and consulates and continued exchanges of high-level delegations.

“At the same time, constructive........

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