This visit marks an important step in advancing our ties: Jaishankar on Taliban leader Muttaqi's India tour

After the meeting, Jaishankar said he discussed India's support for Afghanistan’s development with the visiting Taliban leader.

In his X post, Jaishankar said: "This visit marks an important step in advancing our ties and affirming the enduring India-Afghanistan friendship."

"Discussed India’s support for Afghanistan’s development, our bilateral trade, territorial integrity & independence, people-to-people ties and capacity building," he said.

Jaishankar said New Delhi will upgrade its Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of the Embassy of India. 

While India has not formally recognised the Taliban regime, the decision reflects a cautious normalization of diplomatic ties amid shifting regional dynamics.

Muttaqi’s visit is the first by a senior Taliban leader to India since the group seized control of Kabul in August 2021.

The talks come at a time when relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have sharply deteriorated, with Islamabad’s deportation of thousands of Afghan refugees further straining bilateral ties.

India’s move also signals a strategic recalibration in its Afghanistan policy as tensions between Kabul and Islamabad continue to escalate.