Anand Prakash, Special Envoy of the Ministry of External Affairs of India and Director General of the Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan Division, met with the Taliban Foreign Minister in Kabul ahead of his visit to Qatar. During the meeting, Amir Khan Motafi called for expanding diplomatic and economic relations.
The Taliban Foreign Ministry issued a press release on Sunday, April 27, announcing that during the meeting, Muttaqi called for further expansion of diplomatic and economic relations between Afghanistan and India and said that there are suitable opportunities for investment in Afghanistan. The Taliban foreign minister has invited Indian investors to take advantage of new economic opportunities in Afghanistan.
Muttaqi emphasized facilitating travel between the people of the two countries and called on India to restore the visa issuance process for Afghan businessmen, patients, and students to normal.
According to the Taliban Foreign Ministry press release, Anand Prakash promised that India is committed to continuing its assistance to Afghanistan. The Taliban said the Indian envoy also spoke about restarting some infrastructure projects that had been stalled over the past years, adding: “New Delhi wants to invest in more projects.”
Anand Prakash’s visit coincides with recent tensions between India and Pakistan over the recent attack in Kashmir.
India blames Pakistan-based militant groups for the attack and has responded by canceling a water deal with Islamabad and closing the Attari and Wagah trade routes. Pakistan has said it is prepared to counter any potential attack from Indi