'Afghanistan has wiped out all terror groups, Pak should follow same path': Taliban Foreign Minister in India

“Not a single one of them is in Afghanistan. Not an inch of land is controlled by them,” Muttaqi told NDTV during his visit to India.

“The Afghanistan against whom we carried out an operation in 2021 has completely transformed,” he said, referring to the Taliban’s return to power that year.

Delivering a pointed message to Pakistan from Indian soil, a country that has long suffered from cross-border terrorism, Muttaqi said, “Let other countries also act against such terror groups as Afghanistan did, for peace.”

Muttaqi’s first official visit to India comes as New Delhi announced the restoration of full diplomatic ties with Kabul.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed that India will upgrade its Technical Mission in Kabul to a full-fledged embassy, underlining India’s “deep interest” in Afghanistan’s stability and progress.

Addressing questions on a recent blast near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, Mr. Muttaqi accused Islamabad of orchestrating the attack, calling it a “wrong act.”

“There has been an attack near the border in remote areas. We consider this act of Pakistan wrong. Problems cannot be solved like this. We are open to dialogue,” he said.

“Afghanistan has achieved peace after 40 years. No one should have a problem with that. Afghanistan is now an independent nation. Why are some people troubled by our peace?”

Warning against testing Afghan resolve, he added, “If someone wants to cause us trouble, they should ask the Soviet Union, America, and NATO. They will explain that it is not wise to play games with Afghanistan.”

Message to Pakistan, praise for India

Muttaqi reiterated that Kabul desires better ties with Pakistan, but stressed that “friendship cannot be one-sided.”

He also thanked India for being the first country to send assistance following the recent earthquake in Afghanistan, calling New Delhi “a close friend.”

“Afghanistan wants relations based on mutual respect, trade, and people-to-people exchanges,” he said. “We are ready to create a consultative mechanism of understanding that strengthens our relations.”

Muttaqi also underlined the importance of India-Afghanistan-US dialogue to enhance regional trade and stability.

“India and Afghanistan should hold joint talks with the United States. We understand the importance of trade, all trade routes should remain open. If routes close, it affects both our nations,” the Taliban minister said.