Kabul/New Delhi — Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi said India has announced the upgradation of its diplomatic presence in Kabul and the resumption of several long-stalled development projects during his visit to New Delhi, marking a renewed phase in Afghanistan–India engagement under Taliban rule.

Speaking at a media talk at Afghanistan’s Embassy in New Delhi, Muttaqi outlined a series of agreements and understandings reached with Indian officials, including the opening of trade corridors, expansion of air connectivity, and collaboration in health and education.

“India announced the upgradation of their embassy status in Kabul and will soon complete the half-constructed projects that were paused during the transition,” Muttaqi said.

“Six new health projects have been approved, and India has also agreed to facilitate visas for trade, health, and education.”

Strategic Backdrop

Muttaqi’s visit comes amid rising border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan and New Delhi’s quiet push to re-engage Kabul after years of diplomatic distance. India had maintained a minimal presence since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, but this visit marks the highest-level engagement between the two since then, signaling an effort by both sides to cautiously revive ties.

The trip also comes as Pakistan faces repeated cross-border provocations from militants operating inside Afghanistan, an issue Islamabad insists must be addressed before any regional normalization can take hold.

Trade, Connectivity, and Investment

Muttaqi revealed that both sides agreed to form a joint trade committee, while Afghanistan invited Indian investors to explore opportunities in minerals, agriculture, health, and sports.

He also confirmed that India has agreed to resume air cargo routes, including flights between Kabul–Delhi, Kabul–Amritsar, Kandahar–Amritsar, Kandahar–Mumbai, and Kabul–Mumbai, to boost commerce and humanitarian exchanges.

“We also discussed how to make effective use of the Chabahar Port and to address the sanctions affecting it,” he said, adding that Afghanistan urged the opening of the Wagah border as “the closest and fastest trade route between India and Afghanistan.”

Analysts note that Kabul’s calls to access Indian trade via Wagah have little practical feasibility without Pakistan’s consent, highlighting that Afghanistan’s economic aspirations ultimately depend on regional cooperation, not confrontation.

Engagement with Indian Scholars and Students

Muttaqi’s delegation also visited Darul Uloom Deoband, where they met scholars, students, and Afghan nationals studying in India.

“India and Afghanistan share deep-rooted historical and scholarly ties,” he said. “We hope to increase academic exchanges and cooperation between Ulema.”

His remarks from Indian soil were seen by regional analysts as an attempt to appeal to traditional Islamic sentiment while overlooking India’s internal marginalization of its own Muslim institutions and religious freedoms.

The Afghan minister also planned meetings with the Indian Chamber of Commerce and the Afghan diaspora in India, including businessmen and migrants, to address community issues and promote investment.

Clarification on Pakistan Ties and Border Tensions

Responding to a question on whether Pakistan escalated tensions due to Kabul’s growing proximity with India, Muttaqi downplayed the friction, saying Afghanistan “seeks peaceful and cooperative ties with all its neighbours, including Pakistan and India.”

“Ask this to Pakistan. We have no difficulty at all. We have a bigger heart,” he said, before adding in Urdu, “The people and many within the government of Pakistan sincerely desire good relations with Afghanistan; we have no issue with them.”

However, he noted that “certain groups are working to damage these relations,” and maintained that “Afghanistan must defend its sovereignty,” confirming that “our overnight retaliatory operation achieved its intended objectives.”

Muttaqi said friendly nations “like Saudi Arabia and Qatar intervened to calm tensions,” adding that “the situation is now under control and dialogue remains open.”

“Afghanistan’s defense has always been collective, people, scholars, and government united,” he said, reiterating that “our policy is moderation, balanced politics, and good ties with all.”

While Muttaqi called for moderation, his comments skirted the core issue, Kabul’s failure to rein in anti-Pakistan groups responsible for dozens of deadly cross-border attacks. Pakistan has repeatedly exercised restraint despite grave provocations, emphasizing dialogue but reserving the right to self-defence when its sovereignty is violated.

Response on TTP Presence in Afghanistan

“With regards to the TTP question, there are no safe havens of TTP in Afghanistan,” said Muttaqi. “The people who are present are those displaced from Pakistan’s tribal areas during military operations, and the US-backed government at the time allowed these refugees entry. These are Pakistani nationals with refugee status.”

Pakistan, however, maintains that these ‘refugees’ include active militants orchestrating attacks from Afghan soil, a position supported by multiple intelligence reports and United Nations monitoring assessments.

Security officials in Islamabad note that Kabul’s attempt to reframe militancy as a ‘refugee legacy’ ignores on-ground realities, including the continued TTP leadership presence across Afghan provinces.

Response on Women Education

Addressing criticism over restrictions on women’s rights, Muttaqi said Afghanistan “has 10 million students enrolled, including 2.8 million women and girls,” insisting that women’s education “has not been declared religiously haram, only postponed in specific parts.”

Observers note that these ‘postponements’ have stretched nearly four academic years, undercutting Kabul’s narrative of gradual reform and eroding its international credibility.

He added that “Afghanistan’s security and social structure are stronger than ever,” but the reality remains that female participation in education and media continues to face sweeping curbs.

Response on Governance, Rights, and Peace in Afghanistan

Muttaqi said, “In Afghanistan, we have an Islamic government, under Islam, the rights of every man and woman are protected.”

He highlighted that following their victory, “a general amnesty was announced even for those who had fought us,” saying, “this public apology paved the way for peace.”

“Former presidents and officials live freely,” he noted, adding that “our ministers move without heavy security, I myself travel by bicycle to the ministry.”

“No one can act unjustly under the Islamic system,” he stressed, claiming that “today, diplomats, traders, and citizens can travel safely, not a single security incident has been reported.”

Despite these claims, Pakistan and regional observers point to persistent cross-border insecurity and the operational presence of the TTP as clear contradictions to Kabul’s claims of total peace and justice.

A senior Pakistani security official told HTN that “Afghanistan’s peace narrative will gain credibility only when it translates into tangible action against anti-Pakistan militant groups.”

Remarks on Media and Female Journalists

Afghan FM Muttaqi also clarified the controversy surrounding the absence of female journalists at his press conference, calling it “a technical matter, not intentional.”

“The event was organized on short notice with a limited invite list,” he said, adding that “there was no intention to exclude anyone.”

His explanation did little to allay broader concerns about the Taliban’s curbs on press freedom and women’s participation, issues that continue to draw criticism from international media watchdogs.

Regional Dynamics and Strategic Outlook

Muttaqi’s New Delhi outreach coincides with a broader diplomatic recalibration in South Asia. 

India, having lost political leverage in Afghanistan since 2021, is cautiously testing engagement to safeguard its past investments, valued at over $3 billion, and counter the growing influence of China and Pakistan in regional connectivity projects.

Pakistan, on the other hand, continues to bear the brunt of instability emanating from Afghanistan and remains firm that durable peace can only be achieved through counterterror commitments, not cosmetic diplomacy.

“Economic optics mean little if cross-border sanctuaries remain intact,” a senior South Asia observer told HTN. “Pakistan’s approach remains pragmatic: peace through responsibility, not rhetoric.”

As Kabul and New Delhi reopen diplomatic channels and Islamabad reiterates its red lines, South Asia stands at a defining moment, between superficial optics and substantive peace.

For Pakistan, the path forward remains clear; Support for regional stability, coupled with zero tolerance for militancy. Muttaqi’s visit may rekindle engagement, but the real measure will be whether Afghanistan acts on its promises rather than merely articulating them.