India Reaffirms Strategic Ties with Afghanistan, Rejects Pakistan’s Disruptive Role

 New Delhi, May 2025: India has conveyed a firm message that it will not allow Pakistan to act as a disruptor in its growing strategic engagement with Afghanistan. According to high-level government sources, this position was clearly outlined during recent direct talks between Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi — the first such high-level interaction since the Taliban assumed power in Kabul in 2021.

The dialogue is being viewed as a critical development in shaping regional security dynamics and reflects India’s calibrated diplomatic approach toward a Taliban-led Afghanistan. Sources indicate that India raised pressing concerns over the continued presence of terror outfits such as ISIS-K, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and Al-Qaeda on Afghan soil, and emphasized the imperative that Afghanistan must not serve as a base for activities targeting Indian interests.

In a noteworthy assurance, the Taliban is said to have committed to preventing the use of Afghan territory for Pakistan-backed terror operations, including those by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) — both designated terrorist organizations and longstanding threats to Indian national security.

The timing of the talks is significant, especially in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, India’s recent counterterrorism initiative. Sources confirm that the discussions also addressed efforts to repair diplomatic misalignments caused by Pakistan’s interference and attempts to sow discord between India and Afghanistan.

Both Jaishankar and Muttaqi are reported to have reiterated their commitment to preventing external actors from derailing bilateral ties. The Indian side also highlighted the need for a stable Afghanistan free from foreign manipulation, especially as the Taliban government deepens its engagement with China, including awarding mining contracts to Chinese entities, allegedly brokered by Islamabad.

The talks took place against the backdrop of recent Pakistani allegations that an Indian missile had struck Afghan territory — a claim firmly rejected by both New Delhi and Kabul. Enaitullah Khawarzmi, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence, categorically denied the incident, calling the Pakistani assertion “unfounded.” India echoed this sentiment, dismissing the accusation as “false and ludicrous.”

Sources further indicate that Pakistan may attempt to allege that Taliban fighters or weapons have reached the Kashmir region — a claim Afghanistan has also rejected as baseless propaganda. Kabul has reportedly asked for verifiable evidence if such allegations are to be considered, while warning that Pakistan could fabricate such claims using weapons manufactured in its own facilities.

In addition to the strategic and security dimensions, the discussions also covered development cooperation and humanitarian assistance — areas where India has historically played a significant role in Afghan reconstruction.

The recent engagement marks a renewed effort by both nations to fortify bilateral relations, reaffirm mutual respect for sovereignty, and counter destabilizing narratives promoted by Pakistan in the region.