India’s diplomatic equation with Afghanistan took a significant turn on Thursday as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a first-ever direct conversation with the Taliban's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, marking a historic political-level contact since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
During the telephonic call, Jaishankar welcomed Afghanistan’s rejection of misinformation campaigns aimed at straining India-Afghanistan relations. Though he didn’t name the source, his remarks were a clear rebuttal to recent Pakistani media claims that alleged India had "hired" the Taliban to stage a false flag operation in Pahalgam, where 26 people were killed in a terror attack linked to Pakistan-based militants.
Jaishankar expressed his gratitude for the Taliban's condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack, describing the conversation as "good" in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He emphasized India’s long-standing friendship with the Afghan people and reiterated support for Afghanistan’s development needs. He also noted that both sides discussed ways to take cooperation forward, a sign of cautious engagement.
This interaction follows closely after a visit to Kabul by Anand Prakash, Director General for Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan at the MEA. Prakash met Muttaqi to discuss political ties, trade, transit cooperation, and regional security dynamics post-Pahalgam attack.
While India has not officially recognized the Taliban regime, this direct high-level contact suggests a pragmatic shift in New Delhi’s diplomatic approach amid evolving regional security challenges. The last time an Indian External Affairs Minister interacted politically with a Taliban leader was in 1999–2000, when Jaswant Singh held indirect contact with Taliban FM Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil during the IC-814 hijacking crisis.
The renewed engagement also follows Operation Sindoor, a high-profile Indian counter-terror mission launched after the Pahalgam attack, and a subsequent India-Pakistan understanding to halt cross-border military strikes. Afghanistan’s condemnation of the attack added a significant dimension, reflecting a potential opening for India to increase its influence in the region while navigating its complex relationship with the Taliban government.
