Taliban Minister's visit to India: Jaishankar calls Pakistan "shared threat" for both countries

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Delhi on Friday. Following which, India and Afghanistan listed Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism as a "shared threat" in a joint statement. 

While giving his opening remarks, Jaishankar called cross-border terrorism a "menace" that can be combated with the coordinated efforts of India and Afghanistan. He stated Afghanistan as a "contiguous" neighbour of India, sending a stern message to Pakistan over its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. 

Jaishankar said, "As a contiguous neighbour and a well-wisher of the Afghan people, India has a deep interest in your development and progress." 

Adding, "However, these are endangered by the shared threat of cross-border terrorism that both our nations face. We must coordinate efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We appreciate your sensitivity towards India's security concerns. Your solidarity with us in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack was noteworthy." 

Meanwhile, in his statements, Muttaqi called India an important country of the region, which has always stood by the people of Afghanistan, assisting them in many areas. 

He said, "We will not allow any (element) to threaten anyone else or use the territory of Afghanistan against others. Daesh is a challenge for the region, and Afghanistan is at the frontlines of this struggle."

Adding, "Luckily, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, its forces, and its strong struggle against it have eradicated it from Afghanistan. The need of our region is that we combat this menace together, and this is a need for the common property of both nations." 

India and Afghanistan share a land border of a narrow 106 km through the Wakhan corridor, a strip holding strategic importance. Even China is showing its interest in the territory. As to what EAM Jaishankar said, the corridor links Afghanistan to India through a part of Kashmir, which is illegally occupied by Pakistan.

The Afghan Foreign Minister called India a "first responder" when the earthquake struck the country, expressing his gratitude for providing all the human assistance.

Muttaqi stated, "In the recent earthquake in Afghanistan, India was the first responder. Afghanistan looks at India as a close friend. Afghanistan wants relations based on mutual respect, trade, and people-to-people relations."

He also showed gratitude towards the hospitality he received upon his visit to India. Muttaqi said, "India is a historic and important country of this region. We have had long civilisational and people-to-people ties for centuries, and it is not limited to geography but extends to culture, business, and other avenues that bind both countries together." 

Further saying that Afghanistan is willing to create a mechanism of understanding between the two countries, which strengthens the relationship. 

The Afghan Foreign Minister arrived in India on Thursday and will be staying for a week from October 9 to 16. Ever since the Taliban regime took control of Afghanistan in 2021, this is the first-ever high-level delegation from Kabul to Delhi.