In a first, EAM S Jaishankar speaks to Taliban's acting Foreign Minister Muttaqi

S Jaishankar's call to Mr Muttaqi comes days after the Taliban, which India is yet to officially recognise condemned the Pahalgam Terror Attack on 22 April.

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Marking the first minister-level outreach to the Taliban administration in Afghanistan, EAM S Jaishankar on 15 May, held a telephone conversation with the Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

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Mr Jaishankar in a message posted on X, stated that he had a good conversation with Amir Khan Muttaqi and deeply appreciated his condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

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During the call, Mr Muttaqi asked Dr Jaishankar to provide more visas to Afghan Nationals, especially to those seeking medical attention.

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He also noted that bilateral trade, release and return of Afghan prisoners in Indian jails, and the development of the Chabahar Port in Iran were discussed.

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The discussion on Chabahar Port holds significance, as Afghanistan being a land-locked country relies heavily on land routes through Pakistan to access India.

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The Taliban administration and India have been intensifying ties since the outfit first came to power in Kabul on August 16, 2021, though India has not yet fully normalised relations.

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India's policy towards Afghanistan under the Taliban regime has been focused on providing humanitarian aid and the well-being of Afghan citizens.

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