India committed to Afghanistan's independence: Jaishankar in historic Taliban meet

India Today

In a historic meeting with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Jaishankar affirmed that India is committed to Afghanistan's sovereignty and unity.

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00:00exchange perspectives, identify common interests, and forge closer cooperation.

00:07As a contiguous neighbor and a well-wisher of the Afghan people,

00:12India has a deep interest in your development and progress.

00:17Today, I reaffirm that our long-standing partnership

00:21that has seen so many Indian projects in Afghanistan stands renewed.

00:27We can discuss the maintenance and repairs of finished projects,

00:33as well as steps to complete others to which we have already committed.

00:39Beyond that, other development priorities of Afghanistan can be discussed by our tips.

00:47Excellency, India has long extended support for the health security of Afghanistan,

00:53including during the COVID pandemic.

00:58We are now ready to commit to six new projects,

01:01whose details can be announced after the conclusion of our talks.

01:06A gift of 20 ambulances is another gesture of goodwill,

01:12and I would like to hand over five of them to you personally, as a symbolic step.

01:17India will also provide MRI and CT scan machines to Afghan hospitals

01:24and deliver vaccines for immunization and cancer medicines.

01:29We have also supplied drug rehabilitation materials through UNODC and are open to doing more.

01:36Excellency, as a first responder, Indian relief materials were delivered to the earthquake sites

01:44within hours of the disaster last month.

01:48We would like to contribute to the reconstruction of residences in the affected areas.

01:53India has also been a significant provider of food assistance to the Afghan people.

02:00A further consignment will be delivered in Kabul today.

02:04The plight of forcibly repatriated Afghan refugees is a matter of deep concern.

02:12Their dignity and livelihood is important.

02:15India agrees to help construct residences for them and continue providing material aid to rebuild their lives.

02:23Our two countries, Minister, have a productive history of cooperating on water management and irrigation.

02:34We note the interest on the Afghan side in taking this further

02:38and are ready to collaborate on the sustainable management of its water resources.

02:44Your invitation to Indian companies to explore mining opportunities in Afghanistan is also deeply appreciated.

02:51This can be discussed further.

02:54Excellency, we have a shared interest in boosting trade and commerce.

02:59I am glad to note the commencement of additional flights between Kabul and New Delhi.

03:05Our educational and capacity building programs have long nurtured the Afghan youth.

03:11We will expand avenues for Afghan students to pursue studies at Indian universities.

03:18Sports is another long-standing connection.

03:21The emergence of Afghan cricket talent has been truly impressive.

03:26India is glad to deepen its support for Afghan cricket.

03:31As you are aware, India has introduced a new visa module for Afghan people in April 2025.

03:39As a result, we are now issuing greater number of visas, including in medical, business, and student categories.

03:47Excellency, we have a common commitment towards growth and prosperity.

03:52However, these are endangered by the shared threat of cross-border terrorism that both our nations face.

03:58We must coordinate efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

04:03We appreciate your sensitivity towards India's security concerns.

04:08Your solidarity with us in the aftermath of the Pargam terrorist attack was noteworthy.

04:13India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Afghanistan.

04:22Closer cooperation between us contributes to your national development as well as regional stability and resilience.

04:30To enhance that, I am pleased to announce today the upgrading of India's technical mission in Kabul to the status of Embassy of India.

04:43Once again, Excellency, a very, very warm welcome, and I invite you to make your opening remarks.

05:49all the parties have been announced.

05:51The war is still on the main topic that

05:56the war is still on the way of Kabul,

06:00the war is still on the way of ending the war.

06:06The war is still on the way of the war is still on the way of

06:11the war from the war.

06:19In the name of Allah, so for everything, let me express our gratitude for the hospitality

06:37and for the invitation.

06:39And I am happy to be meeting you here in India.

06:54As you know, Henning is a historic and important country of this region as multicultural,

07:07a very hard-working population, and we have long civilizational and people-to-people type

07:17for centuries, and it is not only limited to geography, but also to business, culture,

07:25sports, and other links that have binded us together.

07:29In 1947, we began official bilateral diplomatic relations and have had close policy positions

07:46on many issues.

07:48Now it is important that we increase our understanding and make use of our capacities and opportunities.

07:56India has always stood by Afghan people and has assisted them in many areas.

08:04Similarly, over the past four years, and particularly the recent earthquake in Kunar, India was the

08:16first country to respond in humanitarian assistance.

08:19We would like to show appreciation.

08:23Afghanistan looks at India as a close friend.

08:27Afghanistan wants relations based on mutual respect and trade and people-to-people, political

08:36trade and people-to-people relations.

08:39The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan stands ready to create a mechanism of understanding between

08:46two countries and two countries, and these consultative mechanisms work towards strengthening our

08:51relations.

08:55Approximately nine months earlier, I met with the Deputy Foreign Minister Vikram Singh in Dubai,

09:05and this was the good start of high-level engagement, following which I had two phone calls with

09:13yourself, which gave new impetus to our relations.

09:16I am happy today that I am here in Delhi, and this visit will increase or strengthen the understanding

09:27between both countries and open a new chapter between these relations.

09:32We hope that Afghanistan and India, on an official level and in different areas, increase their

09:39engagements and exchanges.

09:43We hope that through talks and dialogue, we can increase the level of understanding between

09:48us.

09:52During the American occupation, there was many ups and downs that happened.

09:59However, throughout this time, we never gave a statement against India.

10:05Rather, we always sought good relations with India.

10:11We will not allow any group to threaten anyone else or use the territory of Afghanistan against

10:21others.

10:22Daesh?

10:23Daesh is a challenge for the region, and Afghanistan is at the front lines of this struggle.

10:35Luckily, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, its forces and its strong struggle against it, has

10:42eradicated from Afghanistan.

10:45The need of our region is that we combat this menace together, and this is a need for the

10:56common prosperity of both nations.

11:16We have me again express my gratitude for providing this opportunity.

11:21I have more to add, and we will continue the talks.

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