Indian Foreign Secretary Meets Taliban’s Foreign Minister Muttaqi in Dubai

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with Taliban’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai on Wednesday.

According to a statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, during the meeting, the two sides discussed regional developments and the expansion of humanitarian cooperation.

Referring to the historical friendship between the two countries and strong people-to-people contacts, the Indian Foreign Secretary announced India's readiness to respond to the immediate development needs of the Afghan people.

This is the first meeting between a senior Indian official and the Taliban's foreign minister.

During the meeting, the two sides agreed that in addition to the current humanitarian assistance, India will also participate in development projects in Afghanistan in the future.

India said that it has so far delivered 50,000 tonnes of wheat, 300 tonnes of medicine, 27 tonnes of earthquake aid, 100 million doses of polio vaccine and other essential items to Afghanistan.

The statement added that based on the Taliban's request, India will provide more assistance in the health sector and support for refugees.

The Indian Foreign Secretary and Muttaqi agreed on strengthening sports cooperation, especially in the field of cricket, and the use of Chabahar port to support trade and humanitarian aid.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said that during the meeting, Amir Khan Muttaqi mentioned India's security sensitivities and it was agreed that contacts and talks will continue at various levels.