M Anand Prakash discusses political relations, transit trade, and investment opportunities with Taliban’s Amir Khan Muttaqi as India recalibrates its Afghanistan strategy post-Pahalgam attack.
Kabul, April 28, 2025 —
In a significant diplomatic outreach following the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian diplomat M Anand Prakash, who oversees the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran division at the Ministry of External Affairs, met the Taliban’s acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul on Sunday.
The two sides discussed political relations, transit trade, and regional developments. Muttaqi, according to the Taliban foreign ministry, stressed the importance of boosting diplomatic and economic ties and invited Indian investors to tap into Afghanistan’s opportunities. He also urged India to restore normal visa services for Afghan patients, students, and business travelers.
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Prakash reaffirmed that Afghanistan remains important to India and expressed a desire to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors, including infrastructure, where work has resumed on stalled projects.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of India’s suspension of visa services to Pakistani nationals and the closure of the Attari land crossing—a critical route for India-Afghanistan trade. Afghan economic bodies have warned that the shutdown could severely impact their $500 million annual dried fruit exports to India.
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Notably, the Taliban foreign ministry had earlier condemned the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, calling it an assault on regional security.
Prakash also met former Afghan president Hamid Karzai during his visit. Karzai advocated for Indian scholarships to Afghan youth and called for smoother trade facilitation between the two countries.
While India’s Ministry of External Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on Prakash’s meetings, the diplomatic outreach signals a careful balancing act — sustaining Afghanistan ties without compromising India’s tough stance against terrorism following the deadly attack in Kashmir.
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India Afghanistan Relations, Taliban, Pahalgam Terror Attack, India Taliban Talks, Amir Khan Muttaqi, M Anand Prakash, Afghanistan India Trade, Indian Diplomacy, Attari Border Closure, Afghanistan Investment Opportunities