India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar revealed that Taliban leaders denounced the April 22 Pahalgam attack during Thursday’s talks. Jaishankar praised acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi for his stance, calling the discussion “productive” on social media.
Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesman Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal stated Muttaqi seeks stronger bilateral ties and reaffirmed Kabul’s neutral foreign policy. Notably, Takal’s remarks omitted direct reference to the Kashmir incident.
India-Pakistan Clash Sparks Global Alarm
New Delhi accused Islamabad of backing militants behind the Pahalgam assault, which killed 26 civilians. Pakistan rejected the claims, demanding an independent investigation. Cross-border clashes from May 7–10 killed nearly 70 people, including civilians, before a Saturday ceasefire halted hostilities.
Last week’s four-day India-Pakistan conflict raised fears of regional war, prompting Afghanistan to urge restraint. Kabul warned escalation harms shared interests, emphasizing stability for neighboring nations.
The Taliban’s condemnation of the Pahalgam attack signals a potential shift in regional alliances. While skepticism remains about the Taliban’s long-term reliability, India’s engagement with Afghanistan could reshape geopolitical dynamics in South Asia. Both nations aim to navigate challenges and build a foundation for future collaboration.
