Pahalgam terror attack: Why did Taliban foreign minister meet Indian envoy?

Days after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Taliban foreign minister Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi met the Indian envoy who oversees relations with Afghanistan. During the meeting in Kabul, the two sides discussed improving political relations and well as the ongoing regional situation.

This comes as Pakistan has blocked Afghan trucks after India shut down the Attari border. Reports suggest that around 45 Afghan trucks laden with dry fruits and other goods would enter India via Pakistan.  

Anand Prakash who met the Afghan minister, is the Special Representative of the Ministry of External Affairs as well as the Director General of the Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan Department.

They also stressed on bolstering bilateral ties and easing visa procedures besides improving trade relations.

Taking to X, Hafiz Zia Ahmad, the deputy spokesperson of the Afghan foreign ministry, said the two sides spoke about "recent regional political developments".

The latest meeting comes as India's diplomatic ties with Pakistan hit a new low following the Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 people on April 22.

The Taliban government had earlier condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam, expressing condolences to the victims' families. “Such incidents undermine efforts to ensure regional security and stability,” the statement said.

Muttaqi pushed for movement of people between India and Afghanistan and sought streamlining of visa issuance for patients, students and businessmen, which should be "restore to normal".

On the other hand, India expressed its intention to continue supporting Afghanistan's development and resuming investments in infrastructure projects.

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