MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addresses an MEA press conference in New Delhi on Thursday, October 16, 2025. | Photo credit: ANI
Days after hosting Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Thursday (16 October 2025), India assured Afghanistan that it remains “fully committed” to Afghan sovereignty and territorial integrity as Afghanistan and Pakistan clashed earlier this week, leaving hundreds dead along the Durand Line.
Official spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, said at a weekly press briefing that India was “closely monitoring” the unfolding conflict. The issue of Afghanistan’s stability also came up at the third India-Central Asia National Security Advisers meeting held in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek, which was attended by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Thursday.
VIDEO | New Delhi: On the tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal (@MEEAIndia) says, “We are closely monitoring the situation. Pakistan hosts terrorist organizations and sponsors terrorist activities. It is an old habit of Pakistan to blame the… pic.twitter.com/54ujw9RxrJ
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 16, 2025
“We are closely monitoring the situation. Pakistan hosts terrorist organizations and sponsors terrorist activities. It is an old practice of Pakistan to blame its neighbors for its internal failures and Pakistan is outraged that Afghanistan is exercising sovereignty over its own territories. India remains fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan,” said Mr. Jaiswal and extended support. Taliban-controlled Afghanistan after Pakistani jets reportedly bombed targets in Kabul on Wednesday.
The two sides agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire on Wednesday after days of violence, marking the worst escalation since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in August 2021.
Taliban administration spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistan of harboring ISIS militants, while Pakistan accused the Afghan Taliban of supporting the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). However, at a press conference here on October 12, Mr. Muttaqi blamed Pakistan for the TTP’s actions, saying, “They should look to their own country.”
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, while welcoming Mr. Muttaqi on October 10, announced the elevation of India’s technical mission in Kabul to a full-fledged embassy. Mr Jaiswal said on Thursday that this upgrade process would be completed “within a few days”.
Afghanistan also featured prominently at the Bishkek meeting, which brought together the Secretaries of the Security Council and the national security advisers of India and the Central Asian republics. “The Secretaries/NSA emphasized the importance of security and stability in Afghanistan to the region,” said a statement issued after the meeting.
“They agreed to work closely with Afghanistan to address security challenges, as well as in areas of connectivity and economic development that could form the basis of long-term stability,” the foreign ministry added.
Published – 16 Oct 2025 23:16 IST
