Afghanistan-India Joint Statement
On 10 October 2025, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar held detailed discussions with the Afghan Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, in New Delhi. Both sides discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest, as well as important regional developments.
- External Affairs Minister reiterated India’s long-standing friendship with the Afghan people and highlighted the deep-rooted cultural and historical ties binding the two nations. He conveyed India’s continued commitment to support the aspirations and developmental needs of the Afghan people.
- External Affairs Minister expressed his deep appreciation to Afghanistan for its strong condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India on 22 April 2025 as well as for the sincere condolences and solidarity expressed with the people and Government of India. Both sides unequivocally condemned all acts of terrorism emanating from regional countries. They underscored the importance of promoting peace, stability, and mutual trust in the region.
- Both sides emphasized respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. External Affairs Minister appreciated Afghan side’s understanding of India’s security concerns. The Afghan Foreign Minister reiterated the commitment that the Afghan government will not allow any group or individual to use the territory of Afghanistan against India.
- External Affairs Minister expressed condolences over the loss of lives caused by the recent devastating earthquake in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces. The Foreign Minister appreciated India’s role as the first responder to the disaster and its delivery of relief materials.
- Considering Afghanistan’s pressing requirement for economic recovery and development, both sides agreed that India would further deepen its engagement in development cooperation projects, particularly in the sectors of healthcare, public infrastructure and capacity-building –
i. As part of India’s ongoing healthcare cooperation with Afghanistan, several projects are being undertaken, including the establishment of a Thalassemia Centre, a Modern Diagnostic Centre, and replacement of the heating system at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health (IGICH) in Kabul. Additionally, India will construct a 30-bed hospital in Kabul’s Bagrami district, an Oncology Centre and a Trauma Centre in Kabul, and five Maternity Health Clinics in the provinces of Paktika, Khost, and Paktia. About 75 prosthetic limbs have been successfully fitted to Afghan nationals, which was widely appreciated by both the Afghan government and the international community. India will also continue to extend medical assistance and provide high-quality healthcare treatment to Afghan nationals.
ii. As a special gesture, India will gift twenty ambulances to the Afghan people. A symbolic handover of the ambulances was done by the External Affairs Minister following his meeting with the Foreign Minister.
iii. In the field of capacity-building, India continues to offer scholarships to Afghan students under the e-ICCR scholarship scheme. Other avenues for Afghan students to pursue studies at Indian universities under the ICCR and other scholarship programmes are under active consideration.
iv. India expressed its willingness to assist the Afghan government in reconstructing residential buildings in the earthquake-affected areas.
- The two sides reviewed the progress of Indian humanitarian assistance programmes to Afghanistan, which include supply of food grains, social support items, school stationery, disaster relief materials and pesticides. The External Affairs Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to continuing such assistance. The Foreign Minister expressed appreciation to the Government of India for its comprehensive and generous humanitarian support, including in providing crucial material aid to address the urgent needs of forcibly repatriated refugees in Afghanistan.
- Both sides discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in sports, especially cricket, to advance cultural interactions.
- Both sides welcomed the commencement of the India-Afghanistan Air Freight Corridor, which will further enhance direct trade and commerce between the two countries. The new corridor is expected to streamline connectivity and boost bilateral trade.
- The Afghan side invited Indian companies to invest in the mining sector which would help strengthen the bilateral trade and commercial relations.
- Appreciating India’s assistance in construction and maintenance of India-Afghanistan Friendship Dam (Salma Dam) in Herat, both sides also underscored the importance of sustainable water management and agreed to cooperate on hydroelectric projects with a view to addressing Afghanistan’s energy needs and support its agricultural development.
- Both sides agreed to maintain close communication and continue regular engagement.
New Delhi
October 10, 2025
