KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, has thanked the Taliban for condemning last month’s deadly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, in Indian-administered Kashmir.
In a post on X on Thursday, Jaishankar said he had a “good conversation” with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban Foreign Minister. This was the first political-level contact between the two sides since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Jaishankar expressed appreciation for the Taliban’s condemnation of the April 22 attack, which killed more than 26 people. He also welcomed their rejection of what he called “false and baseless reports” aimed at creating distrust between India and Afghanistan.
“Underlined our traditional friendship with the Afghan people and continuing support for their development needs,” the Indian top diplomat stated. “Discussed ways and means of taking cooperation forward.”
The Taliban Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the call, saying the two sides discussed strengthening diplomatic relations, expanding trade, and easing visa procedures for Afghan patients and traders. The ministry added that the release of Afghan prisoners held in India and regional projects such as the Chabahar Port were also discussed.
The Taliban described relations with India as “historic” and expressed hope for closer engagement.
The phone call took place amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack. India blamed Pakistan-based militants and carried out cross-border strikes, to which Pakistan responded with retaliatory attacks. The conflict has since eased after the US mediated a ceasefire between the two South Asian neighbors.
While the Taliban condemned the Pahalgam attack, saying such violence threatens regional stability, it did not comment directly on India’s strikes inside Pakistan but called for restraint from both sides.
Although India does not formally recognize the Taliban government, it has reopened its embassy in Kabul with a technical team and increased engagement with the group in recent months.
However, the phone conversation has sparked criticism from many Afghans, including former government officials, MPs, and activists.
Nargis Nehan, Minister of Mines and Petroleum during the former government, warned India against trusting the Taliban, saying, “Your enemy’s enemy is an attractive friend but will never be a reliable partner.”
Fawzia Koofi, former MP and women’s rights advocate criticized India for prioritizing geopolitical interests over shared democratic values.
“Is the way you carry your engagement with the Taliban in line with India’s historic friendship with the people of Afghanistan?” Koofi questioned. “Geopolitics in Asia seems to have overtaken the shared values we once believed united us.”
Journalist and activist Lina Rozbih also condemned the engagement, writing, “India is a victim of terrorism and yet it is engaging with a government like the Taliban that consists of terrorists!”
