This is also the first political-level contact and conversation since the Taliban captured power in Kabul in August 2021. In January this year, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Muttaqi in Dubai.

The last political level contact took place in 1999-2000 when then External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh was in touch with Taliban Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil following the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 to Kandahar in December 1999.

After his conversation with Muttaqi, Jaishankar, in a post on X, said, “Good conversation with Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi this evening. Deeply appreciate his condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Welcomed his firm rejection of recent attempts to create distrust between India and Afghanistan through false and baseless reports.” This is an apparent reference to reports in Pakistan that Indian missiles had hit Afghanistan, which India called “ludicrous”.

“Underlined our traditional friendship with the Afghan people and continuing support for their development needs. Discussed ways and means of taking cooperation forward,” he said.

The Taliban Foreign Ministry said, “The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaqi, held a telephone conversation with the Minister of External Affairs of India, Mr Jaishankar.”

“In this conversation, discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, trade and elevating the level of diplomatic ties. The Afghan Foreign Minister described India as an important regional country and highlighted the historical ties with Afghanistan, expressing hope for further strengthening of these relations. He emphasised maintaining positive relations with all parties through a balanced policy. Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaqi also requested facilitation of Indian visas for Afghan traders and patients, as well as the release and repatriation of Afghan prisoners in India,” it said.

“Jaishankar also acknowledged the historical ties with Afghanistan and stated that his country would continue its cooperation with Afghanistan, emphasising joint efforts in political and economic areas. Mr. Jaishankar further committed to promptly addressing the issue of prisoners and facilitating visa procedures. Both sides also stressed the development of the Chabahar Port,” the Ministry said.

In the last week of April, Delhi had sent M Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary in charge of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran in the Ministry of External Affairs, to Kabul.

Even before Prakash reached Kabul, the Afghan Foreign Ministry had condemned the Pahalgam terror attack.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan categorically condemns the recent attack on tourists in the Pahalgam region of Jammu and Kashmir, and expresses condolences to the bereaved families,” its spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said.

He said “such incidents undermine efforts to ensure regional security and stability.”

According to the Taliban statement, Muttaqi underscored the importance of expanding diplomatic and economic relations between Kabul and Delhi.

In January, in the first high-level bilateral engagement with the Taliban regime, Foreign Secretary Misri met Muttaqi in Dubai.

A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs had said that the two sides discussed various issues pertaining to bilateral relations as well as regional developments.

But it was not just a meet-and-greet sort of a meeting as it covered a range of issues – India’s “security concerns” in Afghanistan, the need for India to “consider engaging in development projects in the near future”, Delhi’s humanitarian assistance including support for rehabilitation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, use of Iran’s Chabahar port for accessing the conflict-hit country, and cricketing ties between the two countries.