Jaishankar holds 'good conversation' with Afghan counterpart, discusses traditional friendship, bilateral cooperation

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said he held a “good conversation” with acting Afghanistan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi during which the two leaders discussed India’s “traditional friendship” with the Taliban-ruled country and the ways to take the bilateral cooperation forward.

Jaishankar also appreciated Muttaqi’s condemnation of Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives.

Good conversation with Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi this evening.

Deeply appreciate his condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

Welcomed his firm rejection of recent attempts to create distrust between India and Afghanistan through false and…

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 15, 2025

Taking to X, Jaishankar posted, “Good conversation with Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi this evening. Deeply appreciate his condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack.”

He also welcomed Muttaqi’s “firm rejection” of what he called “recent attempts to create distrust between India and Afghanistan through false and baseless reports.”

This comes after Pakistan had claimed that an Indian missile had hit Afghanistan – a claim that was swiftly denied by Kabul on May 10.

“Underlined our traditional friendship with the Afghan people and continuing support for their development needs. Discussed ways and means of taking cooperation forward,” Jaishankar added.

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Afghanistan and India have both dismissed Pakistan’s claim that a missile fired during India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ struck Afghan territory, calling the allegation “false” and “baseless.”

Responding to the assertion, Afghan Defence Ministry spokesperson Enaitullah Khawarzmi said Pakistan’s claims were “unfounded.”

“Afghanistan is safe and secure. No such incident has taken place,” Khaama Press quoted Khawarzmi as saying.

India echoed the denial, labelling Pakistan’s allegation a “completely ludicrous claim.”

Earlier, Pakistan Army spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry alleged that one of the Indian missiles launched during its limited military operation had landed in Afghan territory.

Tensions between Islamabad and Kabul have continued to rise since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 following the US withdrawal, with relations worsening over border disputes and cross-border militant activity.

In contrast, ties between New Delhi and Kabul have remained more stable. Afghanistan has described India as an “important” regional and economic partner.

In January, Muttaqi met Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in Dubai. During the talks, the Afghan side reiterated that it posed no threat to any country and expressed interest in elevating diplomatic engagement with India.

India has not formally recognised the Taliban-led government in Kabul but has maintained contact on issues of security, humanitarian aid, and regional stability.

With inputs from agencies