Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health, Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, has praised India’s long standing support for Afghan healthcare, highlighting medical visas as a “vital humanitarian channel” during a visit to New Delhi. Speaking exclusively to WION’s Sidhant Sibal, Jalali noted, “Afghans have been regularly traveling to India for medical treatment for a long time.”&nbsp;India has established a thalassaemia centre and a modern diagnostic centre and replaced the heating system at Kabul’s Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health. It will also construct a 30-bed hospital in Kabul’s Bagrami district, including an oncology centre, a trauma centre, and five maternity health clinics.Jalali welcomed India’s contributions to Afghan health infrastructure, describing the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Kabul as “one of the major paediatric hospitals in Afghanistan.” He said Afghanistan had “previously requested [the] honourable Indian Chargé d'affaires... regarding strengthening the infrastructure,” and received promises of a CT scan machine and further support.&nbsp;Around 75 prosthetic limbs (Jaipur foot) have been fitted for Afghan nationals, with India continuing to provide medical assistance and treatment. During Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit, India gifted 20 ambulances to Afghanistan. Full interview:&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>India Ties</h2> Sidhant Sibal: How do you see India ties Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali: I would like to convey my regards to viewers and listeners of WION. I've travelled to India for health issues and discussions. Afghanistan values its long standing and constructive relationship with India. Our engagement with India has traditionally been people centric, particularly in health, education and humanitarian assistance. We see India as an important regional partner and our current interaction reflects a mutual interest in pragmatic cooperation based on respect, humanitarian consideration and shared responsibility.&nbsp;<h2>Meeting with Indian Health Minister &nbsp;</h2>Sidhant Sibal: Following your recent visit to India and meetings with Union Health Minister JP Nadda, what specific new areas of cooperation in healthcare infrastructure and medical supplies have been agreed upon between Afghanistan and India?Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali: First of all, I would like to state that this was my first visit to India since the establishment of the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan, I was the first health minister to travel to India. The discussions with His Excellency, the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, were focused on strengthening cooperation and health infrastructure, medical equipment support, regulatory coordination and capacity building.&nbsp;Both sides explored collaboration in hospital development,&nbsp;medical supply, pharmaceutical regulation and training of health professionals in India. Additionally, I've received promises on supply of oncological and cancer treatment medicines, which will be supplied on the immediate basis.&nbsp;<h2>Medical visas</h2>&nbsp;Sidhant Sibal: India continues to facilitate medical visas for Afghan patients in Indian hospitals. What are your views on expanding this program, and how many Afghan patients have benefited from it in 2025?&nbsp;Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali: Afghans have been&nbsp;regularly traveling to India for medical treatment for a long time. Medical visas have been a vital humanitarian channel. We have recently seen many visas issued for Afghan nationals seeking medical treatment in India. While exact figures vary, thousands of&nbsp;Afghan patients have benefited from this channel in recent years.<h2> India's support to Afghan healthcare infra</h2> Sidhant Sibal: Projects like the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Kabul, thalassemia centers, and diagnostic facilities have been supported by India. What further infrastructure projects would Afghanistan prioritize in collaboration with India?Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali: Indira Gandhi hospital is one of the major pediatric hospitals in Afghanistan. We have previously requested honorable Indian Chargé d'affaires to Afghanistan regarding strengthening the infrastructure. We have received a promise&nbsp;of CT scan machine and infrastructure strengthening support to Indira Gandhi pediatric hospital. When it comes to overall infrastructure cooperation with India, Afghanistan would prioritize tertiary health projects, including specialized hospital diagnostic centers, cancer treatment facilities and mother and child health care services with India.&nbsp;<h2>Capacity building</h2>&nbsp;Sidhant Sibal: Capacity-building initiatives, such as training Afghan doctors and organizing medical camps like the Jaipur Foot Camp, have been discussed. What plans are in place to send Indian medical teams to Afghanistan or train more Afghan health professionals in India? Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali: Afghanistan has been suffering in war and instability for 45 years. We have previously received medical support from India. The capacity building remains a top priority for Afghanistan, including training of conductors in India and travel of the Indian doctor delegation to Afghanistan to establish medical support camps and joint working groups.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Ayurveda</h2> Sidhant Sibal: India and Afghanistan have explored cooperation in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda and Unani. How do you envision integrating these with Afghanistan's health system? Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali: India has been engaged in multiple projects in Afghanistan. Some of these projects were incomplete projects from the past that India vowed to complete. When it comes to our cooperation with India in traditional medicine and Ayurveda, the cooperation with India can support research, regulation, safe integration of traditional medicine into our modern healthcare system. The meeting with India's counterpart, the Minister of Ayush, was very fruitful. We have received a lot of commitments from them. Some of them were establishing a Traditional Medicine Institute and Research Center in Afghanistan, also providing us technical support and the Indian curriculum to be replicated in our curriculum under the Minister of Public Health.<h2> Diversification</h2> Sidhant Sibal: Afghanistan has historically relied on multiple routes for medical imports. With recent disruptions in supplies from Pakistan, how has India stepped in to ensure uninterrupted access to essential pharmaceuticals? Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali: As you might be aware, Afghanistan is a landlocked country. Our market was controlled by six or seven countries, where Pakistan had a major market share. Due to the recent deterioration of our relationship, we were struggling with pharmaceutical supply to our market. India has helped to ensure continuity of essential supplies, alternatives routes, and solutions, and it has helped us to reduce dependency on a single corridor. During our visit to India, we have managed to meet several pharmaceutical production companies to work with them, filling the gap of pharmaceuticals and the Afghanistan market.&nbsp;<h2>Pakistan</h2> Sidhant Sibal: How is Afghanistan delinking itself from Pakistan on health care.Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali: Afghanistan has been through lots of hardship. However, we still do have good infrastructure in Afghanistan, we do have good doctors. But when it comes to the capacity building of our doctors and the supply of pharmaceuticals and equipment, we are trying to diversify our partnership with several countries. As we speak, my deputy minister for Food and Drug has traveled to another country. I have traveled here to India. So we are relying on India and other partners to fill in the gap that's there in our market.&nbsp;<h2>Fake Drug Issue</h2> Sidhant Sibal: Fake or low-quality pharmaceutical products entering Afghanistan, how big it is a worry Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali: It is a serious concern, indeed, trying to strengthen regulation, inspection and laboratory testing to tackle this problem. Additionally, my deputy minister has had a trip to India previously, where we have spoken about mutual cooperation and tackling the fake and low quality medicine supply to our market. Since I've taken over the stewardship of the Ministry of Public Health, we have given this issue serious attention, and we have established a comprehensive structure within our food and drug authority to tackle this problem.<h2> Women's health care</h2> Sidhant Sibal: What is your take on women's access to health services? Reports say restrictions are present on women health care workers? Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali: When it comes to&nbsp;women's reach to the health services, I want to state that the Afghan nation is made of both women and men. Women also fall sick and they need health service. In&nbsp;Afghanistan's health sector, we have recruited a huge number of female health workers, starting right from midwives to specialist doctors. We are working on expanding the health coverage or outreach to both women and children in remote areas of Afghanistan. We are also trying to adjust health services according to our necessity, Afghan culture and Islamic principles&nbsp;<h2>India-Afghanistan ties</h2>&nbsp;Sidhant Sibal: Lets hope, India, Afghanistan have strong ties in future, and firm it upMawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali: My&nbsp;visit to India, as I mentioned earlier, was the first visit of the Health Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. I'm here to resolve the problems of my nation, and our relationship with India has resulted in outcomes beyond our expectations. I'm looking forward to expanding this partnership, because the relationship between India and Afghanistan is deep-rooted and people-centric, and it's based on humanitarian factors. I'm looking forward to expanding on this cooperation when it comes to pharmaceutical supplies to capacity building, and hospital infrastructure.

India has established a thalassaemia centre and a modern diagnostic centre at Kabul’s Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health. It will also construct a 30-bed hospital in Kabul’s Bagrami district, including an oncology centre, a trauma centre, and five maternity health clinics.

Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health, Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, has praised India’s long standing support for Afghan healthcare, highlighting medical visas as a “vital humanitarian channel” during a visit to New Delhi. Speaking exclusively to WION’s Sidhant Sibal, Jalali noted, “Afghans have been regularly traveling to India for medical treatment for a long time.” India has established a thalassaemia centre and a modern diagnostic centre and replaced the heating system at Kabul’s Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health. It will also construct a 30-bed hospital in Kabul’s Bagrami district, including an oncology centre, a trauma centre, and five maternity health clinics. Jalali welcomed India’s contributions to Afghan health infrastructure, describing the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Kabul as “one of the major paediatric hospitals in Afghanistan.” He said Afghanistan had “previously requested [the] honourable Indian Chargé d'affaires... regarding strengthening the infrastructure,” and received promises of a CT scan machine and further support. Around 75 prosthetic limbs (Jaipur foot) have been fitted for Afghan nationals, with India continuing to provide medical assistance and treatment. During Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit, India gifted 20 ambulances to Afghanistan. Full interview: India Ties Sidhant Sibal: How do you see India ties Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali: I would like to convey my regards to viewers and listeners of WION. I've travelled to India for health issues and discussions. Afghanistan values its long standing and constructive relationship with India. Our engagement with India has traditionally been people centric, particularly in health, education and humanitarian assistance. We see India as an important regional partner and our current interaction reflects a mutual interest in pragmatic cooperation based on respect, humanitarian consideration and shared responsibility. Meeting with Indian Health Minister Sidhant Sibal: Following your recent visit to India and meetings with Union Health Minister JP Nadda, what specific new areas of cooperation in healthcare infrastructure and medical supplies have been agreed upon between Afghanistan and India? Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali: First of all, I would like to state that this was my first visit to India since the establishment of the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan, I was the first health minister to travel to India. The discussions with His Excellency, the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, were focused on strengthening cooperation and health infrastructure, medical equipment support, regulatory coordination and capacity building. Both sides explored collaboration in hospital development, medical supply, pharmaceutical regulation and training of health professionals in India. Additionally, I've received promises on supply of oncological and cancer treatment medicines, which will be supplied on the immediate basis. Medical visas Sidhant Sibal: India continues to facilitate medical visas for Afghan patients in Indian hospitals. What are your views on expanding this program, and how many Afghan patients have benefited from it in 2025? Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali: Afghans have been regularly traveling to India for medical treatment for a long time. Medical visas have been a vital humanitarian channel. We have recently seen many visas issued for Afghan nationals seeking medical treatment in India. While exact figures vary, thousands of Afghan patients have benefited from this channel in recent years. India's support to Afghan healthcare infra Sidhant Sibal: Projects like the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Kabul, thalassemia centers, and diagnostic facilities have been supported by India. What further infrastructure projects would Afghanistan prioritize in collaboration with India? Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali: Indira Gandhi hospital is one of the major pediatric hospitals in Afghanistan. We have previously requested honorable Indian Chargé d'affaires to Afghanistan regarding strengthening the infrastructure. We have received a promise of CT scan machine and infrastructure strengthening support to Indira Gandhi pediatric hospital. When it comes to overall infrastructure cooperation with India, Afghanistan would prioritize tertiary health projects, including specialized hospital diagnostic centers, cancer treatment facilities and mother and child health care services with India. Capacity building Sidhant Sibal: Capacity-building initiatives, such as training Afghan doctors and organizing medical camps like the Jaipur Foot Camp, have been discussed. What plans are in place to send Indian medical teams to Afghanistan or train more Afghan health professionals in India? Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali: Afghanistan has been suffering in war and instability for 45 years. We have previously received medical support from India. The capacity building remains a top priority for Afghanistan, including training of conductors in India and travel of the Indian doctor delegation to Afghanistan to establish medical support camps and joint working groups. Ayurveda Sidhant Sibal: India and Afghanistan have explored cooperation in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda and Unani. How do you envision integrating these with Afghanistan's health system? Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali: India has been engaged in multiple projects in Afghanistan. Some of these projects were incomplete projects from the past that India vowed to complete. When it comes to our cooperation with India in traditional medicine and Ayurveda, the cooperation with India can support research, regulation, safe integration of traditional medicine into our modern healthcare system. The meeting with India's counterpart, the Minister of Ayush, was very fruitful. We have received a lot of commitments from them. Some of them were establishing a Traditional Medicine Institute and Research Center in Afghanistan, also providing us technical support and the Indian curriculum to be replicated in our curriculum under the Minister of Public Health. Diversification Sidhant Sibal: Afghanistan has historically relied on multiple routes for medical imports. With recent disruptions in supplies from Pakistan, how has India stepped in to ensure uninterrupted access to essential pharmaceuticals? Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali: As you might be aware, Afghanistan is a landlocked country. Our market was controlled by six or seven countries, where Pakistan had a major market share. Due to the recent deterioration of our relationship, we were struggling with pharmaceutical supply to our market. India has helped to ensure continuity of essential supplies, alternatives routes, and solutions, and it has helped us to reduce dependency on a single corridor. During our visit to India, we have managed to meet several pharmaceutical production companies to work with them, filling the gap of pharmaceuticals and the Afghanistan market. Pakistan Sidhant Sibal: How is Afghanistan delinking itself from Pakistan on health care. Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali: Afghanistan has been through lots of hardship. However, we still do have good infrastructure in Afghanistan, we do have good doctors. But when it comes to the capacity building of our doctors and the supply of pharmaceuticals and equipment, we are trying to diversify our partnership with several countries. As we speak, my deputy minister for Food and Drug has traveled to another country. I have traveled here to India. So we are relying on India and other partners to fill in the gap that's there in our market. Fake Drug Issue Sidhant Sibal: Fake or low-quality pharmaceutical products entering Afghanistan, how big it is a worry Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali: It is a serious concern, indeed, trying to strengthen regulation, inspection and laboratory testing to tackle this problem. Additionally, my deputy minister has had a trip to India previously, where we have spoken about mutual cooperation and tackling the fake and low quality medicine supply to our market. Since I've taken over the stewardship of the Ministry of Public Health, we have given this issue serious attention, and we have established a comprehensive structure within our food and drug authority to tackle this problem. Women's health care Sidhant Sibal: What is your take on women's access to health services? Reports say restrictions are present on women health care workers? Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali: When it comes to women's reach to the health services, I want to state that the Afghan nation is made of both women and men. Women also fall sick and they need health service. In Afghanistan's health sector, we have recruited a huge number of female health workers, starting right from midwives to specialist doctors. We are working on expanding the health coverage or outreach to both women and children in remote areas of Afghanistan. We are also trying to adjust health services according to our necessity, Afghan culture and Islamic principles India-Afghanistan ties Sidhant Sibal: Lets hope, India, Afghanistan have strong ties in future, and firm it up Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali: My visit to India, as I mentioned earlier, was the first visit of the Health Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. I'm here to resolve the problems of my nation, and our relationship with India has resulted in outcomes beyond our expectations. I'm looking forward to expanding this partnership, because the relationship between India and Afghanistan is deep-rooted and people-centric, and it's based on humanitarian factors. I'm looking forward to expanding on this cooperation when it comes to pharmaceutical supplies to capacity building, and hospital infrastructure.

India has established a thalassaemia centre and a modern diagnostic centre at Kabul’s Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health. It will also construct a 30-bed hospital in Kabul’s Bagrami district, including an oncology centre, a trauma centre, and five maternity health clinics.

Afghan Health Minister Noor Jalal Jalali praises India’s ‘long-standing’ healthcare support

New Delhi: Afghanistan's Public Health Minister, Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, is scheduled to visit India next week, marking the third ministerial-level trip from the Islamic Emirate government in the last 3 months. The visit, expected around 17 December, follows those of Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi in October and November, respectively. It comes amid deepening healthcare cooperation between New Delhi and Kabul, as India continues to provide extensive humanitarian support to Afghanistan.&nbsp;Delhi has long played a key role in Afghan healthcare. Projects include establishing a Thalassemia Centre, a Modern Diagnostic Centre, and upgrading the heating system at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Kabul. Plans are underway for a 30-bed hospital in Bagrami district, an Oncology Centre, a Trauma Centre, and five maternity clinics. Additionally, around 75 prosthetic limbs have been fitted for Afghan nationals.In November, India donated over 16 tonnes of medicines to combat vector-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, and leishmaniasis.&nbsp;At the UN Security Council earlier this week, India's envoy P Harish highlighted ongoing medical assistance: "India also continues to extend medical assistance and provide high-quality healthcare treatment to Afghan nationals." He added that “healthcare cooperation will be further augmented during the upcoming visit of Afghan Minister of Public Health to India.” During Muttaqi's visit, India gifted 20 ambulances. India was also quick to respond to earthquakes in Afghanistan, supplying food, relief materials, and aid for repatriated refugees.&nbsp;&nbsp;The trip coincides with Afghanistan's efforts to diversify pharmaceutical supplies and reduce reliance on Pakistan, strained by recent border tensions and trade restrictions. Pakistan earlier this year launched an attack on Kabul, and attacks on the border areas have killed Afghan civilians including cricketers.&nbsp;&nbsp;In November 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar directed a halt to medicine imports from Pakistan within three months, citing quality concerns and boosting domestic production. New agreements have been signed with India, Iran, and Turkey for supplies and equipment. Baradar emphasised alternative supply routes and regional partnerships to address vulnerabilities from Pakistan's border closures, which have affected many vulnerable Afghans.

Delhi has long played a key role in Afghan healthcare. Projects include establishing a Thalassemia Centre, a Modern Diagnostic Centre, and upgrading the heating system at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Kabul.

New Delhi: Afghanistan's Public Health Minister, Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, is scheduled to visit India next week, marking the third ministerial-level trip from the Islamic Emirate government in the last 3 months. The visit, expected around 17 December, follows those of Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi in October and November, respectively. It comes amid deepening healthcare cooperation between New Delhi and Kabul, as India continues to provide extensive humanitarian support to Afghanistan. Delhi has long played a key role in Afghan healthcare. Projects include establishing a Thalassemia Centre, a Modern Diagnostic Centre, and upgrading the heating system at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Kabul. Plans are underway for a 30-bed hospital in Bagrami district, an Oncology Centre, a Trauma Centre, and five maternity clinics. Additionally, around 75 prosthetic limbs have been fitted for Afghan nationals. In November, India donated over 16 tonnes of medicines to combat vector-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, and leishmaniasis. At the UN Security Council earlier this week, India's envoy P Harish highlighted ongoing medical assistance: "India also continues to extend medical assistance and provide high-quality healthcare treatment to Afghan nationals." He added that “healthcare cooperation will be further augmented during the upcoming visit of Afghan Minister of Public Health to India.” During Muttaqi's visit, India gifted 20 ambulances. India was also quick to respond to earthquakes in Afghanistan, supplying food, relief materials, and aid for repatriated refugees. The trip coincides with Afghanistan's efforts to diversify pharmaceutical supplies and reduce reliance on Pakistan, strained by recent border tensions and trade restrictions. Pakistan earlier this year launched an attack on Kabul, and attacks on the border areas have killed Afghan civilians including cricketers. In November 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar directed a halt to medicine imports from Pakistan within three months, citing quality concerns and boosting domestic production. New agreements have been signed with India, Iran, and Turkey for supplies and equipment. Baradar emphasised alternative supply routes and regional partnerships to address vulnerabilities from Pakistan's border closures, which have affected many vulnerable Afghans.

Delhi has long played a key role in Afghan healthcare. Projects include establishing a Thalassemia Centre, a Modern Diagnostic Centre, and upgrading the heating system at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Kabul.

Afghanistan's health minister to visit India next week as Kabul deepens ties with New Delhi

In his first-ever interview with an Indian media organisation, Taliban foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi has said that the Taliban have "open communication channels with India'.

Speaking to WION’s Principal Diplomatic Correspondent, Sidhant Sibal, Balkhi said India can "at least open consular section of the embassy in line with the international practices" in Kabul because "we live in an inter-connected world where world citizens, especially Afghans who have suffered from four-decade war need to address their education, medical, business and other needs."

Notably, India closed its embassy after the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August&nbsp;last year. But despite that, India has sent wheat&nbsp;and vaccines to Afghan people in the past few months.

New Delhi had committed to provide 50,000 MT of wheat to Afghanistan, which was sent overland via Pakistan.

On Afghan students keen to go back to India to complete education, the Taliban foreign ministry spokesman said that they have requested “India to provide them with necessary facilities to help them return to complete their courses.”

Few excerpts

WION: How do you see the ties with India?

Abdul Qahar Balkhi: We seek positive relations with all countries, including India, based on mutual respect and interests.

&nbsp;

WION: Have you been in touch with the Indian side? If yes, then how many times. Both India and the Taliban have had two meetings publicly, which is known

Abdul Qahar Balkhi:&nbsp;We have open communication channels with India and have met with their representatives on multiple occasions.

&nbsp;

WION: India supplied wheat&nbsp;and vaccines to the Afghan people, how do you see this gesture?

Abdul Qahar Balkhi:&nbsp;We appreciate the humanitarian assistance provided to the Afghan people by India and see it as a goodwill gesture towards Afghanistan.

&nbsp;

WION: How were the modalities of wheat discussed? Did you request India?

Abdul Qahar Balkhi:&nbsp;India offered to provide wheat as Afghanistan faced a challenging winter due to international sanctions. We will always remember those who helped Afghanistan in times of our need.

&nbsp;

WION: What is your view on the Chabahar port, whose one of the key aims is to connect India with Afghanistan?

Abdul Qahar Balkhi:&nbsp;We support all regional connectivity projects and believe that the potential for regional and in turn international prosperity cannot materialise unless Afghanistan serves as a hub for regional connectivity and economic activity.

&nbsp;

WION: How are the Indian projects in Afghanistan, like the India-Afghanistan friendship dam, or other community projects faring.&nbsp;

Abdul Qahar Balkhi:&nbsp;All projects whether by India or otherwise that serve the interests of the Afghan people are being maintained and those that are left half-done, we urge all countries, including India, to complete them to enhance friendship between our nations and prevent investments from going to waste.

&nbsp;

WION: Are you looking forward to the day India opens its mission in Kabul? Have you requested New Delhi in this regard during any of the conversations that have taken place?

Abdul Qahar Balkhi:&nbsp;Yes, the Government of Afghanistan has urged all countries to reopen their embassies in order to address mutual interests and concerns via direct channels in a timely manner. But if they have reservations about complete re-openings, they can at least consider opening the consular section of the embassy in line with international practices, because we live in an inter-connected world where world citizens, especially Afghans who have suffered from the four-decade war need to address their education, medical, business and other needs.

&nbsp;

WION: How are the people-to-people relations? A number of Afghan students are keen to come back to India.

Abdul Qahar Balkhi: For the better part of history, both nations and peoples have had good relations, and the current Government of Afghanistan continues to believe in maintaining positive relations with India. There are thousands of Afghan students who are either at the beginning of their academic year or in the last semester who have been unable to finish their studies. We have requested India to provide them with the necessary facilities to return to complete their courses.

&nbsp;

WION: Many believe that since the Taliban enjoy close ties with Pakistan, it would be extremely difficult to have as good ties with India

Abdul Qahar Balkhi:&nbsp;This concept is not based on real-world practices. Having good relations with two countries that themselves have troubled relations among themselves does not mean a third country cannot maintain positive relations with both at the same time, especially in a country like Afghanistan where the foreign policy of the new government follows the principle of balance and neutrality.

 
&nbsp;

WION: The safety of Afghan Sikhs and Hindus has been a pressing issue. Many see India as their second home. Are the minorities safe in Afghanistan?

Abdul Qahar Balkhi:&nbsp;&nbsp;The Sikh and Hindu community in Afghanistan are safer now than they have ever been during the last two decades. The new Government of Afghanistan has guaranteed and protected the rights of all minorities, and has even returned land and property to Sikh and Hindu Afghan nationals who were usurped by the warlords in the last 20-years. To that end, we call on all Afghans irrespective of beliefs and political affiliation that have left the country to return and contribute to the rebuilding of their own homeland.

&nbsp;

In his first-ever interview with an Indian media organisation, Taliban foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi has said that the Taliban have "open communication channels with India'.

In his first-ever interview with an Indian media organisation, Taliban foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi has said that the Taliban have "open communication channels with India'. Speaking to WION’s Principal Diplomatic Correspondent, Sidhant Sibal, Balkhi said India can "at least open consular section of the embassy in line with the international practices" in Kabul because "we live in an inter-connected world where world citizens, especially Afghans who have suffered from four-decade war need to address their education, medical, business and other needs." Notably, India closed its embassy after the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August last year. But despite that, India has sent wheat and vaccines to Afghan people in the past few months. New Delhi had committed to provide 50,000 MT of wheat to Afghanistan, which was sent overland via Pakistan. On Afghan students keen to go back to India to complete education, the Taliban foreign ministry spokesman said that they have requested “India to provide them with necessary facilities to help them return to complete their courses.” Few excerpts WION: How do you see the ties with India? Abdul Qahar Balkhi: We seek positive relations with all countries, including India, based on mutual respect and interests. WION: Have you been in touch with the Indian side? If yes, then how many times. Both India and the Taliban have had two meetings publicly, which is known Abdul Qahar Balkhi: We have open communication channels with India and have met with their representatives on multiple occasions. WION: India supplied wheat and vaccines to the Afghan people, how do you see this gesture? Abdul Qahar Balkhi: We appreciate the humanitarian assistance provided to the Afghan people by India and see it as a goodwill gesture towards Afghanistan. WION: How were the modalities of wheat discussed? Did you request India? Abdul Qahar Balkhi: India offered to provide wheat as Afghanistan faced a challenging winter due to international sanctions. We will always remember those who helped Afghanistan in times of our need. WION: What is your view on the Chabahar port, whose one of the key aims is to connect India with Afghanistan? Abdul Qahar Balkhi: We support all regional connectivity projects and believe that the potential for regional and in turn international prosperity cannot materialise unless Afghanistan serves as a hub for regional connectivity and economic activity. WION: How are the Indian projects in Afghanistan, like the India-Afghanistan friendship dam, or other community projects faring. Abdul Qahar Balkhi: All projects whether by India or otherwise that serve the interests of the Afghan people are being maintained and those that are left half-done, we urge all countries, including India, to complete them to enhance friendship between our nations and prevent investments from going to waste. WION: Are you looking forward to the day India opens its mission in Kabul? Have you requested New Delhi in this regard during any of the conversations that have taken place? Abdul Qahar Balkhi: Yes, the Government of Afghanistan has urged all countries to reopen their embassies in order to address mutual interests and concerns via direct channels in a timely manner. But if they have reservations about complete re-openings, they can at least consider opening the consular section of the embassy in line with international practices, because we live in an inter-connected world where world citizens, especially Afghans who have suffered from the four-decade war need to address their education, medical, business and other needs. WION: How are the people-to-people relations? A number of Afghan students are keen to come back to India. Abdul Qahar Balkhi: For the better part of history, both nations and peoples have had good relations, and the current Government of Afghanistan continues to believe in maintaining positive relations with India. There are thousands of Afghan students who are either at the beginning of their academic year or in the last semester who have been unable to finish their studies. We have requested India to provide them with the necessary facilities to return to complete their courses. WION: Many believe that since the Taliban enjoy close ties with Pakistan, it would be extremely difficult to have as good ties with India Abdul Qahar Balkhi: This concept is not based on real-world practices. Having good relations with two countries that themselves have troubled relations among themselves does not mean a third country cannot maintain positive relations with both at the same time, especially in a country like Afghanistan where the foreign policy of the new government follows the principle of balance and neutrality. WION: The safety of Afghan Sikhs and Hindus has been a pressing issue. Many see India as their second home. Are the minorities safe in Afghanistan? Abdul Qahar Balkhi: The Sikh and Hindu community in Afghanistan are safer now than they have ever been during the last two decades. The new Government of Afghanistan has guaranteed and protected the rights of all minorities, and has even returned land and property to Sikh and Hindu Afghan nationals who were usurped by the warlords in the last 20-years. To that end, we call on all Afghans irrespective of beliefs and political affiliation that have left the country to return and contribute to the rebuilding of their own homeland.

We have open communication channels with India, says Taliban's Abdul Qahar Balkhi

Even as the Afghan Peace process is underway, India and Afghanistan have been engaging with each other. Afghan Foreign minister Mohammed Haneef Atmar spoke to India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and discussed a number of issues.

Atmar in a tweet later said, "It was a pleasure to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest. We are profoundly grateful for your continued economic cooperation and unwavering political support for peace and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Thank you so much Excellency. It was a pleasure to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest. We are profoundly grateful for your continued economic cooperation and unwavering political support for peace and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. <a href="https://t.co/Ok2SY9R7MS">https://t.co/Ok2SY9R7MS</a>
— Mohammed Haneef Atmar محمد حنیف اتمر (@MHaneefAtmar) <a href="https://twitter.com/MHaneefAtmar/status/1296110830363324416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/actions-of-nations-during-covid-19-determines-how-world-perceives-them-mea-321889">Actions of nations during Covid-19 determines how world perceives them: MEA</a>

Meanwhile, the Afghan envoy to India Tahir Qadiry during his Independence Day speech at the Afghan mission in Delhi said his country shares values with India.

Lauding ties he said, "Our time-tested ties have endured through thick and thin of regional challenges and we have always come stronger and closer than before. Afghanistan shares values with India and today's Afghanistan understands values and embraces this fact."

He appreciated India's contribution in "rebuilding and reconstruction" of Afghanistan and extended "heartfelt gratitude to our great Indian allies for the steadfast support and contribution."

India is the largest development partner of Afghanistan in the region and has built several infrastructure projects in the country including the India Afghanistan friendship dam in Herat province.

On the situation in Afghanistan, Tahir said, " We will always uphold the gains made so far. We are still facing challenges posed by International terrorism. We strive hard to augment peace efforts to fulfil aspirations of our people and I can confidently say enduring peace will finally prevail."

Hopes are high that Afghan-Taliban talks will soon begin as Ghani govt has ordered the release of prisoners in accordance with US Taliban deal of February.

The Afghan envoy said his country is "proud of our heroes at the Afghan defence and security forces who are fending and fighting at the forefront to ensure freedom." 
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Even as the Afghan Peace process is underway, India and Afghanistan have been engaging with each other. Afghan Foreign minister Mohammed Haneef Atmar spoke to India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and discussed a number of issues.

Even as the Afghan Peace process is underway, India and Afghanistan have been engaging with each other. Afghan Foreign minister Mohammed Haneef Atmar spoke to India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and discussed a number of issues. Atmar in a tweet later said, "It was a pleasure to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest. We are profoundly grateful for your continued economic cooperation and unwavering political support for peace and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan." Thank you so much Excellency. It was a pleasure to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest. We are profoundly grateful for your continued economic cooperation and unwavering political support for peace and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. https://t.co/Ok2SY9R7MS — Mohammed Haneef Atmar محمد حنیف اتمر (@MHaneefAtmar) August 19, 2020 × Also read | Actions of nations during Covid-19 determines how world perceives them: MEA Meanwhile, the Afghan envoy to India Tahir Qadiry during his Independence Day speech at the Afghan mission in Delhi said his country shares values with India. Lauding ties he said, "Our time-tested ties have endured through thick and thin of regional challenges and we have always come stronger and closer than before. Afghanistan shares values with India and today's Afghanistan understands values and embraces this fact." He appreciated India's contribution in "rebuilding and reconstruction" of Afghanistan and extended "heartfelt gratitude to our great Indian allies for the steadfast support and contribution." India is the largest development partner of Afghanistan in the region and has built several infrastructure projects in the country including the India Afghanistan friendship dam in Herat province. On the situation in Afghanistan, Tahir said, " We will always uphold the gains made so far. We are still facing challenges posed by International terrorism. We strive hard to augment peace efforts to fulfil aspirations of our people and I can confidently say enduring peace will finally prevail." Hopes are high that Afghan-Taliban talks will soon begin as Ghani govt has ordered the release of prisoners in accordance with US Taliban deal of February. The Afghan envoy said his country is "proud of our heroes at the Afghan defence and security forces who are fending and fighting at the forefront to ensure freedom."

New Delhi, Kabul increase engagement as Afghan envoy says share values with India