Image Credit: X account @DrSJaishankar
Taliban FM Warns Pakistan Over Afghan Soil Use
During his first visit to India since the Taliban took power, Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi gave a firm warning to Pakistan: no group will be permitted to use Afghan territory for attacks against India.
Afghan Soil Not for Hostile Acts
In a joint press briefing with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Muttaqi said Afghan soil would not be made a staging ground for actions targeting any country. He specifically directed his statement toward Pakistan, warning that “the courage of Afghans should not be tested.”
Diplomatic Outreach to India
Muttaqi’s visit marks a rare high-level diplomatic engagement between India and the Taliban government. Although India has not formally recognized the Taliban regime, it re-established a limited diplomatic mission in Kabul in 2022. During the meeting, Kabul also announced it would send diplomats to India, a gesture signaling intent for deeper ties.
Underlying Regional Tensions
Taliban officials’ assurance comes amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over the presence of Pakistani Taliban (TTP) militants. Islamabad frequently accuses Afghanistan of allowing TTP bases within its borders. Meanwhile, the Taliban government has denied systematic support for those groups.
Critics note that host nations often struggle to control non-state militant actors operating near porous borders. Analysts say this assertion by Muttaqi may be part of Kabul’s effort to present itself as a responsible neighbor in South Asia.
