New Delhi, May 15 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tonight held talks with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, in the first ever talks between India and the Afghan Taliban at the level of FMs.

The EAM, in a post on X, said he deeply appreciates Kabul’s condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack.

He also welcomed the Taliban FM’s “firm rejection of recent attempts to create distrust between India and Afghanistan through false and baseless reports”, in reference to Pakistan’s claim that India had launched attacks on Afghanistan during the India-Pakistan hostilities last week.

The two sides also discussed ways and means of taking the cooperation forward.

“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.

“Underlined our traditional friendship with the Afghan people and continuing support for their development needs.

“Discussed ways and means of taking cooperation forward.”

The Afghanistan Consulate General in Mumbai posted on the talks, that the two FMs “discussed strengthening bilateral ties, boosting trade, diplomatic engagement, and cooperation via the Chabahar Port.”

They also discussed “Visa facilitation and Afghan prisoners’ release”.

Notably, Taliban's Defense Ministry Spokesperson had on May 10 denied Pakistan's claim that Afghan territory was hit in India's missile attack on Pakistan.

UNI RN