In a significant diplomatic development, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a phone conversation with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan’s Taliban-led administration, on May 15, 2025, marking the first ministerial-level contact between India and the Taliban. The call followed the Taliban’s condemnation of the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 civilian lives.
Jaishankar expressed appreciation for Muttaqi’s denouncement of the Pahalgam attack and praised his rejection of false claims, primarily from sections of the Pakistani media, alleging Taliban involvement in the violence. These claims suggested India had orchestrated a “false flag” operation, a narrative Muttaqi firmly dismissed, reinforcing trust between New Delhi and Kabul.
The discussion underscored India’s longstanding ties with the Afghan people, with Jaishankar reaffirming New Delhi’s commitment to supporting Afghanistan’s development. Both sides explored avenues to strengthen bilateral relations, focusing on trade and diplomatic engagement. India, which has not yet officially recognized the Taliban government, continues to advocate for an inclusive administration in Kabul and insists that Afghan soil must not be used for terrorist activities against any nation.
This historic exchange builds on prior interactions, including a January 2025 meeting between Muttaqi and Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in Dubai. Jaishankar shared details of the call on X, stating, “Good conversation with Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi this evening. Deeply appreciate his condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack.”
