Saturday, March 29, 2025
Discussions highlight boosting trade, easing visa norms, and strengthening political ties as regional dynamics shift.
Anand Prakash, India’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), made a significant visit to Kabul to meet Taliban leaders.
During his trip, he held discussions with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi, focusing on expanding political and economic cooperation.
The talks centered on:
Enhancing bilateral political relations
Improving trade and transit collaboration
Easing visa processes for businessmen, patients, and students
Facilitating the exchange of official delegations
Strengthening cooperation across various sectors
Both sides agreed on the need to streamline visa procedures and promote people-to-people ties to foster deeper engagement.
This visit comes at a sensitive time, as India and Pakistan face heightened diplomatic tensions following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives.
In response to the attack, India has downgraded its diplomatic relations with Pakistan.
Anand Prakash reaffirmed India’s long-standing support for Afghanistan, expressing readiness to invest in infrastructure projects and restart development initiatives that had been suspended in recent years.
According to an MEA statement, India remains committed to assisting Afghanistan across sectors and promoting regional stability through constructive engagement.
