MoS Margherita discusses bilateral ties with visiting Afghan minister
New Delhi, July 8
Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, met Afghanistan's Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Mawlawi Ataullah Omari in New Delhi on Wednesday, with discussions focussed on bilateral ties and ongoing cooperation for the welfare and development of the Afghan people.
"Good to meet H.E. Mawlawi Ataullah Omari, Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock of Afghanistan, in New Delhi today. The discussions focused on India-Afghanistan bilateral relations, including ongoing cooperation for the welfare and development of the Afghan people," Margherita wrote on X.
Omari arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday for an official visit aimed at enhancing bilateral ties. He will be holding discussions with key officials on matters of shared interest between the two countries.
"A very warm welcome to the Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Ataullah Omari, as he arrives in New Delhi. Looking forward to engaging discussions on issues of mutual interest," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson stated on X.
Last week, following the deadly Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghan territory, India had reiterated its commitment to supporting Kabul through aid and development projects.
"We had strongly condemned the airstrikes that happened from Pakistan into Afghanistan, in which several civilian lives, including women and children were lost. We had offered our condolences on the passing away of precious lives and we had also at the same time reiterated our strong support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Afghanistan," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a weekly media briefing in New Delhi.
"As far as in terms of support with Afghanistan, we have an ongoing humanitarian assistance cooperation. We have been sending them medicines. We have been sending them other support and we have also been offering development projects which can bring benefit to the lives of people there and that continues," he added.
Notably, India has been providing humanitarian support to Afghanistan, including through the supply of essential medicines and other aid.
On June 17, India delivered another five tonnes of essential medicines to Kabul, reflecting its long-standing commitment to the welfare and well-being of the Afghan people.
Earlier, on May 22, India had delivered 20 tonnes of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and Tetanus, Diphtheria (Td) vaccines to Kabul to boost immunisation efforts among Afghan children.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While I appreciate the humanitarian aid, I do wonder about the long-term strategy here. Engaging with the current Afghan administration has its diplomatic challenges. But if this helps ordinary Afghans, especially women and children who are suffering, then it's a step in the right direction. India should also focus on ensuring our aid reaches those who need it most.
India's consistent stand on Afghanistan's territorial integrity is commendable. The condemnation of Pakistani airstrikes was important - shows we won't stay silent on civilian casualties. But I hope our MEA is also thinking about how this engagement affects our relations with other regional players. Diplomacy is a delicate balance, na? 😅
Bhagwan kare ye discussions productive ho! Afghanistan's agricultural sector has huge potential and India's expertise in this area can really make a difference. From wheat to saffron, there's so much we can share. Plus, it creates goodwill at the grassroots level. Thoda cautious rehna hoga but overall a positive move by our government. 🇮🇳
Watching this from an international perspective, India's approach to Afghanistan seems pragmatic. Unlike some other nations, India is maintaining engagement while focusing on humanitarian needs rather than political recognition. The agricultural cooperation angle is smart - it addresses basic needs while building long-term economic ties. The vaccine deliveries are particularly noteworthy for public health.
Honestly, I'm a bit skeptical. We're engaging with a regime that the world hasn't recognized, and our past investments in Afghanistan are under threat. But at the same time, completely abandoning the Afghan people isn't an option either
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.