Image: Jaishankar and Amir Muttaqi
New Delhi, May 15, 2025 — In a significant diplomatic move, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a telephone conversation with Afghanistan’s Taliban-appointed Acting Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, marking the first high-level political contact between the two nations since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
According to official sources, the discussion focused on bilateral relations, regional security, and recent terror-related developments. Jaishankar thanked the Afghan leadership for strongly condemning the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam. India alleges that the attack, which claimed 26 lives, was carried out by militants linked to Pakistan. Pakistan, however, has categorically denied any involvement.
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India has further alleged that Pakistan-backed terrorist groups are using Afghan soil to carry out anti-India activities. During the call, Jaishankar expressed New Delhi’s serious concerns and urged the Taliban government to ensure that Afghan territory is not used as a launchpad for terrorism against India. He emphasized that preventing such activities is crucial for regional stability.
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Jaishankar also welcomed the Afghan government's rejection of what he described as false and malicious propaganda aimed at damaging India-Afghanistan relations.
Analysts view this communication as a potential turning point in India-Afghanistan relations. Since the Taliban took control in 2021, India’s involvement had been limited to humanitarian assistance. This phone call signals a possible shift toward renewed political engagement.
During the conversation, Muttaqi reportedly acknowledged India as an important regional power and expressed interest in enhancing cooperation in trade, development, and regional stability. Both sides emphasized their historical ties and voiced a shared commitment to deeper collaboration in the future.
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Diplomatic observers note that this engagement carries substantial significance in the context of South Asian geopolitics. They believe India’s outreach may be aimed at protecting its strategic interests while counterbalancing growing influence from China and Pakistan in the region.
While no official roadmap has been announced yet, experts suggest that this dialogue could pave the way for more structured engagement — potentially reshaping diplomatic dynamics in South Asia.