Welcoming the Taliban-led delegation, Jaishankar said the visit marks an “important step in advancing our ties and affirming the enduring friendship between India and Afghanistan.”

“We have had opportunities to speak to each other, once after the Pahalgam terrorist attack and the second time, after the Kunar and Nangarhar earthquake. However, a meeting between us in person has a special value in allowing us to exchange perspectives, identify common interests and forge closer cooperation,” he said, recalling their phone conversations in the past.

As he met Muttaqi, Jaishankar outlined India’s approach to Afghanistan and said New Delhi has a deep interest in the neighbouring country’s “development and progress”.

“Today, I reaffirm that our longstanding partnership that has seen so many Indian projects in Afghanistan stands renewed. We can discuss the maintenance and repairs of finished projects as well as steps to complete others to which we have already committed. Beyond that, other development priorities of Afghanistan can be discussed by our teams.”

Flagging countering terrorism, Jaishankar said, “We have a common commitment towards growth and prosperity. However, these are endangered by the shared threat of cross-border terrorism that both our nations face. We must coordinate efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We appreciate your sensitivity towards India’s security concerns. Your solidarity with us in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack was noteworthy.”

In the light of Pakistan’s attack on Afghanistan and US President Donald Trump’s bid to take over Bagram Air base, he said India is “fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence” of Afghanistan.

“Closer cooperation between us contributes to your national development, as well as regional stability and resilience. To enhance that, I am pleased to announce today the upgrading of India’s Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of Embassy of India.”

On his part, Muttaqi said Afghanistan views India as “a close friend”. “Afghanistan wants relations based on mutual respect and political, trade and people-to-people relations. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan stands ready to create a mechanism for understanding between the two countries, and this consultative mechanism works towards strengthening our relations.”

“During the American occupation, there were many ups and downs that happened. However, throughout that time, we never gave any statement against India. Rather, we always sought good relations with India. We will not allow anyone to threaten anyone else, or use our territory against others.”

Announcing a slew of assistance, Jaishankar also said India will help in six new projects, gift ambulances, provide MRI and CT scan machines to Afghan hospitals, deliver vaccines for immunisation and cancer medicines, and hand over a consignment of food assistance in Kabul Friday.

“We are now ready to commit to six new projects, whose details can be announced after the conclusion of our talks. A gift of 20 ambulances is another gesture of goodwill, and I would like to hand over 5 of them to you personally as a symbolic step … We have also supplied drug rehabilitation materials through UNODC and are open to doing more,” he said.

He also recalled that India has long supported Afghanistan's health security, including during the pandemic.

As a first responder, India delivered relief materials to earthquake-affected areas in Kunar within hours of the disaster last month, and Jaishankar said New Delhi would contribute to the reconstruction of houses.

“Plight of forcibly repatriated Afghan refugees is a matter of deep concern. Their dignity and livelihood are important. India agrees to help construct residences for them and continue providing material aid to rebuild their lives.”

The External Affairs Minister also pointed out the “productive history of cooperating on water management and irrigation” between India and Afghanistan. “We note the interest on the Afghan side in taking this further and are ready to collaborate on the sustainable management of its water resources,” he said.

“Your invitation to Indian companies to explore mining opportunities in Afghanistan is also deeply appreciated. This can be discussed further. We have a shared interest in boosting trade and commerce. I am glad to note the commencement of additional flights between Kabul and New Delhi,” he said.

“Our educational and capacity-building programmes have long nurtured the Afghan youth. We will expand avenues for Afghan students to pursue studies at Indian universities,” he said.

He said sports is another “longstanding connection”, and praised the emergence of Afghan cricket talent as “truly impressive”. “India is glad to deepen its support for Afghan cricket,” he said.

Stating that “India has introduced a new visa module for Afghan people in April 2025”, he said, “As a result, we are now issuing a greater number of visas, including in medical, business and student categories.”

Expressing his gratitude for the hospitality and for the invitation, Muttaqi said India and Afghanistan have a “long civilisational and people-to-people ties for centuries”.

“And not just through geography but also through business, culture, sports, and other links that have brought us together. Since 1947, we have had official, bilateral, diplomatic relations and have had close policy positions on many issues. Now it is important that we increase our understanding and make use of our capacities and opportunities,” Muttaqi said.

Echoing Jaishankar, Muttaqi said India has “always stood by” Afghanistan and has “assisted in many areas”. “Similarly, over the past four years, and particularly the recent earthquake in Kunar, India was the first country to respond, and with humanitarian assistance.”

Muttaqi is visiting India from October 9 to 16, after receiving UNSC approval. He will visit Agra and Deoband seminary in the next few days, and will also meet the Afghan community and businesses in India.

This is the first time that a Taliban Foreign Minister is visiting India, and it is one of the seismic events in India’s foreign policy where Delhi is nuancing its position on the Taliban.

The last political level contact took place in 1999-2000 when then External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh was in touch with Taliban Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil following the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 to Kandahar in December 1999.

Muttaqi, after becoming the Foreign Minister since the Taliban took power in August 2021, has been the face of the group at international forums.

Ahead of his visit, on October 7, India joined the Taliban, Pakistan, China and Russia to oppose US President Donald Trump’s plan to take over the Bagram air base in Afghanistan, in an unusual turn of events.-Agencies