Taliban Minister Urges Pakistan To Eliminate Terror Groups During India Visit
Taliban minister Muttaqi's maiden visit to India was marked by India restoring full diplomatic relations with Afghanistan.
By Orlin Milinov
New Delhi —
Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, has urged Pakistan to take decisive action against terrorist organisations operating within its borders, saying Islamabad should follow Kabul’s example in eradicating extremism to secure lasting peace in the region.
During his maiden visit to India, Muttaqi claimed that groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, which once operated from Afghan soil, have been completely eliminated under the Taliban administration.
“Not a single one of them is in Afghanistan. Not an inch of land is controlled by them,” Muttaqi said while responding to a question from NDTV. “The Afghanistan against whom we carried out an operation in 2021 has transformed.”
He added pointedly,
“Let other countries also act against such terror groups as Afghanistan did — for peace.”
India Restores Full Diplomatic Relations With Afghanistan
Muttaqi’s visit coincided with New Delhi restoring full diplomatic ties with Kabul — a major diplomatic shift since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced that India will upgrade its Technical Mission in Kabul to a full-fledged embassy, reaffirming New Delhi’s “deep interest” in Afghanistan’s progress and stability.
“Afghanistan looks at India as a close friend,” Muttaqi said, praising India for being the first to send aid after the recent earthquake.
He proposed setting up a consultative mechanism of understanding to further strengthen cooperation in trade, infrastructure, and cultural exchange between the two nations.
Muttaqi Blames Pakistan For Kabul Blast
Addressing questions about recent violence near the Afghan-Pakistan border, Muttaqi accused Islamabad of orchestrating a blast in Kabul, describing it as an “unfortunate and 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,” he said.
“Afghanistan has peace and progress after 40 years. No one should have a problem with it. Afghanistan is now an independent nation. Why are people troubled if we have peace?”
The Taliban minister also warned against testing Afghanistan’s resilience, citing the failures of global powers in past conflicts.
“If someone wants to cause Afghans trouble, they should ask the Soviet Union, America, and NATO. They will explain that it is not good to play games with Afghanistan,” he cautioned.
Muttaqi added that while Kabul seeks stronger ties with Islamabad, such relations “cannot be one-sided.”
India-Afghanistan Trade and Regional Cooperation
Discussing regional economic ties, Muttaqi highlighted the need for enhanced trade cooperation between India and Afghanistan and proposed joint talks with the United States to facilitate smoother economic engagement.
“India and Afghanistan should hold joint talks with the US. Trade routes must remain open because their closure affects both our economies,” he said.
The minister also referenced former US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, stressing that international cooperation, rather than economic restrictions, is vital for lasting peace and prosperity.
Muttaqi’s landmark visit marks a significant step forward in India-Afghanistan relations, signaling renewed diplomatic engagement after years of political uncertainty in the region.
