Agreements on more direct flights, trade and economy, says Afghan FM Muttaqi in a presser

Amir Muttaqi

Addressing a second presser within a span of two days, Afghanistan's foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, announced that New Delhi and Kabul have taken a host of decision to further strengthen ties. Muttaqi's address comes at a time when Pakistan and Afghanistan are involved in intense clashes along their border.

Addressing the press, he said: "... I met the Minister of External Affairs of India and talked about economy, trade, and other issues. During the meeting, the EAM of India announced the upgrading of their mission in Kabul to Embassy level and the diplomats of Kabul will arrive in New Delhi."

"... During the meeting, the Indian foreign minister announced an increase in the flights between Kabul and Delhi... An agreement was also reached on trade and economy... We also invited the Indian side to invest, particularly in minerals, agriculture, and sports. We also discussed the Chabahar port... We also requested the opening of the Wagah border as it is the fastest and easiest trade route between India and Afghanistan..." remarked Muttaqi.

On Saturday,  Afghanistan’s foreign minister Maulana Amir Khan Muttaqi visited the Darul Uloom Deoband Islamic seminary in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur district on Saturday during his first visit to India since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

The seminary administration made elaborate arrangements to welcome him, issuing a list of 15 prominent Ulema (Islamic scholars) to receive him. Tight security measures were enforced across the area in coordination with national and state agencies.

Addressing the gathering during his visit, Amir Khan Muttaqi expressed gratitude and optimism about future relations between India and Afghanistan. He said, “I am thankful for such a grand welcome and the affection shown by the people here. I hope that India-Afghanistan ties advance further. We will be sending new diplomats, and I hope you people will visit Kabul as well. I have hopes for stronger ties in the future- from the way I was received in Delhi, these visits may be frequent in the near future.”