The acting minister of foreign affairs of the Islamic Emirate emphasized the expansion of political and economic relations with India during a meeting with Anand Prakash, head of the Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran Division at India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amir Khan Muttaqi and Anand Prakash discussed political, trade, and transit issues as well as the latest regional political developments.
The acting foreign minister also said that favorable investment opportunities are currently available across various sectors in Afghanistan.
Zia Ahmad Takal, head of public relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated: “The acting foreign minister stressed the enhancement of diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries and said that Afghanistan presently offers significant investment opportunities that Indian investors should seize.”
Meanwhile, the acting foreign minister also held a phone conversation with his Uzbek counterpart, discussing various political, economic, trade issues, and the organization of a trilateral meeting regarding the “Trans-Afghan” project.
Muttaqi stated that Afghanistan is fully prepared to implement major economic projects, including the “Trans-Afghan” project, and to further strengthen political, trade, and transit cooperation with Uzbekistan.
Takal added: “The foreign ministers of both countries discussed enhancing bilateral and multilateral relations, expanding political, economic, and transit cooperation, particularly focusing on the Trans-Afghan railway project and the organization of a trilateral meeting between Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan at the level of foreign ministers.”
Economic experts said Afghanistan’s regional cooperation in various sectors to be beneficial for the country.
Qutbuddin Yaqubi, an economic affairs expert, said: “The development of these relations through Afghanistan and strengthening Afghanistan as a connection hub, considering its current regional significance, can play an essential role in promoting stability, economic growth, security, and social and cultural relations.”
The visit of India’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran to Kabul comes at a time when, due to escalating security tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad, the Attari–Wagah border crossing for Afghan commercial goods bound for India has been closed.