An Indian delegation and the Taliban today met in Kabul for the first time since August last year, when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, which is struggling for basic needs after a 20-year war in the largely mountainous region. Afghanistan, it was decided to bring back all India-based officials. However, the local staff continued to function and ensure proper maintenance and upkeep of our premises there," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters today.
The template behind India's engagement with the Taliban is based on India's historic ties with Afghanistan, he said. "India has historical and civilisational ties with Afghan people and those long-standing ties will continue to guide our approach to Afghanistan," Mr Bagchi said.
"In this connection, the Indian team will meet the senior members of the Taliban, and hold discussions on India's humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan," he said.
India does not officially recognise the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
The Taliban's Amir Khan Mottaki, who met with Mr Singh, said they want India to resume its stalled projects, reactivate diplomatic presence and give consular services to Afghans, especially students and patients.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Indian team will try to visit several places in Afghanistan where India-assisted projects and programmes are being implemented. He, however, did not give details such as the composition of the team, duration of the trip, places to be visited and scheduled meetings.
The Taliban requested India to consider working with Afghanistan in trade too.
Afghanistan is now firmly under Taliban control. The government forces collapsed without the support of the US military, which invaded in 2001 after the September 11 attacks and toppled the Taliban for its support to Al Qaeda. Ashraf Ghani, who was the President during the war, fled the country.Poverty and hunger have rocketed in the strife-torn nation since the Islamist militants took power last year after the United States withdrew.
“The Indian team will s humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan,” the ministry said in a statement.
The officials would oversee delivery of humanitarian assistance and visit areas targeted by Indian-backed programmes or projects, it added.India has donated about 20,000 tonnes of wheat, 13 tonnes of medicines, 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine and winter clothing, with more medicine and foodgrain on the way, it said.
The South Asian nation pulled its officials out of Afghanistan last August and closed its embassy, although New Delhi is keen to retain ties with the country.
Last month the ministry said it had no information on when the embassy would re-open.
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India/Afghanistan