KABUL (Dispatches) — India has 
intensified its diplomatic and humanitarian outreach to Afghanistan following a sharp decline in relations between Kabul and Islamabad, signaling New Delhi’s intent to strengthen ties with the Taliban-led government.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that food assistance and 20 ambulances were provided to recent earthquake victims in Afghanistan. The aid was formally handed over by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to his Afghan counterpart, Taliban Foreign Minister Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi, during the latter’s visit to New Delhi last week.
Despite Pakistan’s strong opposition, Muttaqi made the trip—marking the Taliban’s highest-level visit to India since taking power in 2021. His visit was granted a temporary exemption from UN sanctions, allowing him to travel from Russia, the only country to officially recognize the Taliban government so far.
Following the talks, India announced it would reopen its embassy in Kabul, which was shut down in 2021 after the Taliban regained control.
Observers note the unexpected and rapid deterioration in Taliban-Pakistan relations has created a strategic opening that India appears eager to exploit. New Delhi is actively expanding humanitarian aid and diplomatic engagement, seeking to build a multilateral relationship with the new Afghan administration.
During his meeting with Muttaqi, Jaishankar emphasized India’s commitment to continue and broaden its humanitarian support for Afghanistan, highlighting a clear shift in New Delhi’s policy aimed at countering Pakistan’s influence in the region.