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New Delhi, Oct 12 (IANS) India-visiting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaki on Sunday asserted his control over the embassy in New Delhi, indicating that the flag of the Islamic Emirate was flying in front and behind him.
“This is our flag. We fought jihad under it. This is 100 per cent our embassy. All the people who are working here… they are all with us,” Muttaki said in response to a question from IANS.
However, India has still not formally recognized the Taliban regime.
Unlike the controversial press conference held on Friday, where no female journalists were allowed entry and only 15 media persons were allowed, Sunday’s briefing at the Afghan Embassy on Shantipath was packed with journalists, including several female journalists and foreign correspondents.
The move was seen as an improvement amid strong criticism from the Indian media and foreign media over gender-based restrictions.
Muttaki, who is on a week-long visit to New Delhi, said his delegation had “constructive and result-oriented” talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
“We discussed trade, economy, healthcare, aviation links and development projects. India assured readiness to facilitate business visas, student exchanges and restart stalled infrastructure works,” he said.
According to him, Jaishankar also informed about India’s decision to upgrade the embassy in Kabul.
Afghan FM announced new air connectivity plans including Delhi-Kabul, Mumbai-Kandahar and Amritsar-Afghanistan flight routes.
A joint trade committee will also be formed between India and Afghanistan and proposals for mineral cooperation, agricultural projects and sports diplomacy were also discussed.
Muttaqi confirmed that Afghanistan has requested India to consider opening the Attari-Wagah border for Afghan goods.
Responding to concerns over women’s rights, the Foreign Minister said, “Everyone’s rights are protected in Islam, be it man or woman. We do not oppose education. Education is not haram.”
He claimed that more than 10 million students, including girls, are attending school in Afghanistan, and restrictions exist only in “specific parts”.
The Afghan Foreign Minister revealed that he raised the issue of Afghan prisoners in India and sought to make arrangements for their return.
He also said his delegation visited Deoband, interacted with students and discussed academic exchanges between Darul Uloom Deoband and Afghan institutions. “Our Ulema have historical ties with India. We will expand academic and cultural exchanges,” he said.
Muttaqi was outspoken on Pakistan. “”We want zero tension and peaceful relations. But if relations are mishandled, we also know how to handle security,” he warned, adding that Pakistan should “control its own posts” instead of blaming Afghanistan.
He rejected the presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Afghan soil.
“For 40 years we have fought the Soviets, the Americans and NATO. Now we are free and standing on our own feet,” he said. He confirmed that Afghanistan will build independent relations with India on the basis of “mutual respect and trade cooperation”.
Meanwhile, Afghan embassy staff, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed concern over the hoisting of the flag of the Islamic Emirate and pointed out that the Indian side has still not recognized the regime in Kabul.
–IANS
SAS/VD