India Sides with Afghanistan in Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict

Tensions and conflict between South Asia’s two neighboring countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan, have continued to escalate. A four-day discussion held in Istanbul, Turkey, aimed at resolving the conflict, ended in failure. Despite hours of talks mediated by Qatar and Turkey, no agreement could be reached.

Amid growing tension with Pakistan, India has reiterated its support for neighboring Afghanistan.

On Thursday (October 30), Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reaffirmed India’s support for Afghanistan during a weekly press briefing.

Recently, severe border clashes and Pakistan’s airstrikes in Kabul have worsened relations between the two countries. Pakistan has long been urging Afghanistan to prevent groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant organizations from launching attacks on Pakistan from Afghan soil.

Claiming that Afghanistan failed to meet this request, Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Kabul on October 9. Following that, the two countries became embroiled in major border clashes.

When asked about this conflict, and about Pakistan’s allegation that India-backed militants are attacking Pakistan from Afghanistan, Jaiswal responded:

“In my earlier briefing on the Afghanistan-Pakistan conflict, we had already stated our position. Pakistan is upset because Afghanistan is exercising its sovereign rights over its own territory. Pakistan seems to think it can continue cross-border terrorism without consequence, but its neighbors are no longer willing to tolerate that.”

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson further said that India remains committed to Afghanistan’s independence, regional integrity, and sovereignty.

When asked about Indian projects in Afghanistan, Jaiswal told reporters that Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi had visited New Delhi, after which a joint statement was issued on the matter.