India on Friday delivered a firm signal to Pakistan over its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in a joint statement with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, referred to Afghanistan as a “contiguous neighbour,” highlighting India’s strategic and developmental interest in the region.
India and Afghanistan share a narrow 106 km land corridor—the Wakhan Corridor—which connects Afghanistan to the part of Kashmir under Pakistani control. Jaishankar’s remark was widely interpreted as a pointed reminder to Pakistan.
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“As a contiguous neighbour, and a well-wisher of the Afghan people, India has a deep interest in your development and progress,” Jaishankar said while announcing the restoration of full diplomatic ties, including upgrading India’s mission in Kabul to an embassy.
The Indian minister also addressed cross-border terrorism, noting that both countries face threats from across their borders. The statement came amid reports of Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul targeting alleged terrorist camps hours before the Jaishankar-Muttaqi meeting.
Muttaqi assured that Afghan territory would not be used for attacks on India. He also praised India’s assistance during critical times, including the August earthquake that killed over 2,000 people and the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Afghanistan looks at India as a close friend and wants relations based on mutual respect, trade, and people-to-people connections,” Muttaqi said.
India has repeatedly condemned Pakistan’s occupation of Kashmir and its support for cross-border terrorism, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasizing that PoK restoration and anti-terror measures remain non-negotiable.
