The Taliban has described India as a “significant regional and economic partner” following a meeting between senior officials from both nations, marking the highest-level talks since the Taliban took control of Kabul in 2021.

On Wednesday, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with Taliban’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai. According to reports, the two discussed ways to expand bilateral relations and enhance trade through Chabahar Port in Iran, which India has been developing to provide an alternative route for goods, bypassing the Pakistani ports of Karachi and Gwadar.

A statement from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the Taliban’s intent to strengthen both political and economic ties with India, aligning with their foreign policy focused on economic balance. “In line with Afghanistan’s balanced and economy-focused foreign policy, the Islamic Emirate aims to strengthen political and economic ties with India as a significant regional and economic partner,” the statement read. Following the meeting, India’s foreign ministry indicated that New Delhi is considering involvement in development projects in Afghanistan and aims to increase trade relations.

India also agreed to provide additional material support to Afghanistan, initially focusing on the health sector and the rehabilitation of refugees, as per the Indian foreign ministry’s statement. Afghan officials noted that they have already begun allocating land to the repatriated Afghan refugees.

The discussions also touched on enhancing sports cooperation, particularly in cricket, and India expressed its continued support for Afghanistan’s health sector. While no country, including India, officially recognizes the Taliban government, India reopened its embassy in Kabul in June 2022, sending a team of “technical experts” to manage the mission.

In contrast, Afghanistan’s embassy in New Delhi was closed in November 2023, after diplomats appointed by the previous Afghan government were unable to secure visa extensions from Indian authorities. However, in November 2023, the Taliban named Ikramuddin Kamil as its acting consul in Mumbai.

India has also been one of the countries providing humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, sending shipments of wheat, medicines, COVID-19 vaccines, and winter clothing under the Taliban’s rule.

The meeting took place amid escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Last week, Pakistan launched an operation in Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika province targeting armed groups, which Islamabad claims use Afghan territory to launch attacks against Pakistan. Afghanistan, however, denies these allegations. The strikes resulted in dozens of casualties, mainly women and children. India condemned the airstrikes on Afghan soil, as stated by its foreign office earlier this week.

India and Pakistan have a long-standing rivalry, having fought three wars over the disputed region of Kashmir since their independence from Britain in 1947.

During Wednesday’s meeting, the Afghan side acknowledged India’s security concerns and expressed a willingness to maintain regular contact at various levels, as noted in the Indian statement.