India informed the United Nations Security Council that it has held discussions with the Taliban government about various aspects of their bilateral relations. India emphasised that the strong connection between the people of both countries remains the core of its current engagement with Afghanistan.

India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, mentioned on Monday during a UN Security meeting about the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) that earlier this year, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had a meeting with Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Dubai. “The two sides discussed various issues pertaining to bilateral relations as well as regional developments. The Afghan side appreciated and thanked Indian leadership for continuing to engage and support the people of Afghanistan. It was decided that India would consider engaging in development projects in the near future in addition to the ongoing humanitarian assistance programs,” said Harish in the Council.

In January, Misri and Muttaqi held a meeting, marking the highest-level contact between Delhi and the Taliban since they took control of Kabul in 2021. Harish highlighted that India and Afghanistan have had a close relationship for centuries. As a neighbouring country, India shares a strong bond with Afghanistan's people, which continues to guide their current engagement. Harish also mentioned that India is keeping a close watch on the situation in Afghanistan and is actively involved in regional and global efforts to ensure stability and peace in the country. “Our broad approach remains to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan and create an international consensus under the UN framework to resolve various issues between the de facto authorities in Afghanistan and the international community,” the Indian envoy said. 

Muttaqi's participation in the Moscow Format, Doha, and other UN meetings, he continued, is a "reflection of our efforts to secure peace, stability, and development in Afghanistan." India told the United Nations that it has been working with different UN agencies to help the people of Afghanistan. This support covers areas like healthcare, food security, education, sports and skill development. Since 2001, India has been dedicated to rebuilding and improving Afghanistan. “Our development partnership includes more than 500 projects spread across all provinces in Afghanistan,” he said.

Since August 2021, India has provided 27 tons of relief supplies, 50,000 tons of wheat, 40,000 litres of pesticides, and over 300 tons of medicines and medical equipment to the country. India has been working with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to support the well-being of Afghan drug users, especially women. Since 2022, India has provided 11,000 hygiene kits, baby food, clothing, medical supplies, and over 30 tons of social support items to UNODC in Kabul.

Harish emphasised Delhi’s willingness to address the Afghan people’s needs while highlighting India’s longstanding bond with the Afghan people. "At the same time, we remain committed to continue our close interaction with all relevant stakeholders on Afghanistan and support the international community's efforts towards a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan,” he said.  “It is the responsibility of the de facto authorities to indicate whether they want Afghanistan to be reintegrated into the international system and, if so, whether they are prepared to take the required actions,” Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, told the Council.

"The de facto authorities have so far treated their international obligations selectively, rejecting some on the basis they allegedly impinge on the country's sovereignty or violate their traditions. But to be very clear, these international obligations affect not only the possibility of progress along the political pathway but, most crucially, the well-being of Afghanistan's entire population, whose voices must be included in the political pathway."

She also mentioned that the recent report from the 1267 sanctions monitoring team shows the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan. This raises valid concerns within the international community about whether the current authorities in Afghanistan can or are willing to keep their promise that the country will not pose a threat to others. After the January meeting between Misri and Muttaqi, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shared that both sides discussed India's ongoing humanitarian aid programs. The Afghan Minister expressed his gratitude and thanked the Indian leadership for their continued support and involvement in helping the people of Afghanistan. 

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) mentioned that India would offer additional support to Afghanistan's health sector and help in the rehabilitation of refugees, as requested by the Afghan side. Both countries also talked about enhancing cricket cooperation, which is greatly appreciated by Afghanistan's youth. Additionally, they agreed to encourage the use of Chabahar port to boost trade and provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. “The Afghan side had underlined its sensitivities to India's security concerns,” the MEA statement had said.