India to consider engaging in development projects in Afghanistan

By Reuters
January 08, 2025

New Delhi to provide further support to Afghan health sector and rehabilitation of refugees, says India

This representational image shows India’s Ministry of External Affairs Joint secretary JP Singh meets Afghanistan Acting Defence Minister Molvi Muhammad Yaqoob Mujahid on November 6, 2024 — X/MoDAfghanistan2

NEW DELHI: India will consider engaging in development projects in Afghanistan in the near future, India's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday, despite the lack of diplomatic relations.

The statement followed a meeting between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai.

"In response to the request from the Afghan side, India will provide further material support in the first instance to the health sector and for the rehabilitation of refugees," the statement said.

India has so far dispatched several shipments consisting of wheat, medicines, COVID vaccines, and winter clothing to Afghanistan.

India does not recognise the Taliban government which seized power in 2021 and closed its own embassy in Kabul after the Taliban took control that year.

Afghanistan's embassy in New Delhi was closed in November 2023 after diplomats appointed by the Afghan government ousted by the Taliban failed to secure visa extensions from their Indian hosts.


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