India's foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, met acting Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai last week, marking a significant advancement in bilateral relations. This meeting signifies the highest-level talks between India and the Taliban since the group's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. The engagement between New Delhi and Kabul has been on the rise, with this being the second meeting in just two months, highlighting the mutual willingness to enhance diplomatic ties.
India's approach towards engaging with the Taliban has been strategic, aiming to pursue security and strategic interests in Afghanistan. The discussions between Misri and Muttaqi emphasized the historical friendship and strong people-to-people contacts between the two nations. The talks focused on strengthening bilateral relations, addressing security concerns, engaging in development projects, and enhancing humanitarian assistance.