India has once again emphasized its “longstanding ties” with Afghanistan and its people, saying New Delhi is seeking to further expand relations with the country across various sectors.
Kabul 24: According to The Hindu, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, said at a press briefing on Friday, August 14, that India had witnessed several visits and meetings involving Afghan officials over the past year, particularly in recent months.
Jaiswal said these engagements had contributed to strengthening cooperation between the two sides in a number of areas, including development assistance, trade and regional connectivity.
“We have longstanding ties with Afghanistan and the Afghan people, and we hope to further strengthen the relations that we have with them,” Jaiswal said.
The Hindu reported that Noor Ahmad Noor, the chargé d’affaires of the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi, is scheduled to host a ceremony at the embassy on August 17 to mark the fifth anniversary of the Taliban’s return to power.
Afghan sources have said that an Indian official may attend the ceremony. However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has not confirmed the participation of any official representative.
According to The Hindu, Indian officials have indicated that New Delhi intends to maintain a positive approach toward the Taliban under the current circumstances. This comes as India continues to face strained relations with Pakistan, its regional rival.
Over the past year, several Taliban officials have also travelled to India, including Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Industry and Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi, Public Health Minister Noor Jalal Jalali, and Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Minister Attaullah Omari, who visited India in July 2026.
The Indian foreign ministry has reiterated that New Delhi will continue efforts to strengthen cooperation with Afghanistan, particularly in development, trade and regional connectivity.
The renewed engagement reflects India’s efforts to maintain its longstanding relationship with the Afghan people while expanding practical cooperation with the authorities in Kabul.
