New Delhi
Visiting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Sunday asserted control over the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi, with the Islamic Emirate’s flag prominently displayed behind and in front of him.
“This is our flag. We fought jihad under this. This is 100 per cent our embassy. All those who are working here… they are all with us,” Muttaqi said, while the embassy continues to officially hoist the former regime’s flag representing Ashraf Ghani.
Unlike a controversial press conference held on Friday, where only 15 media personnel were allowed and no female journalists could attend, Sunday’s briefing on Shantipath saw full media participation, including women journalists and foreign correspondents. The change has been viewed as a corrective response to criticism from Indian and international media over gender restrictions.
Muttaqi, on a week-long visit to New Delhi, said his delegation has engaged in constructive and result-oriented discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The talks covered trade, economy, healthcare, aviation links, and development projects. India assured readiness to facilitate trade visas, student exchanges, and restart stalled infrastructure works, he added.
The Afghan Foreign Minister also noted India’s decision to upgrade the embassy in Kabul. Announcing new air connectivity plans, Muttaqi confirmed proposed flight routes including Delhi-Kabul, Mumbai-Kandahar, and Amritsar-Afghanistan. Additionally, both sides agreed to set up a joint trade committee, and discussions were held on mineral cooperation, agriculture projects, and sports diplomacy.
Officials emphasized that these engagements underscore India and Afghanistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, enhancing trade, and expanding people-to-people and infrastructure links.
