Delhi-Kabul flights to resume soon; committee formed to boost India-Afghanistan trade
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, who is on a seven-day visit to India, addressed an important press conference at the Afghan Embassy in Delhi on Sunday. During the press conference, he made several major announcements toward strengthening relations with India and clarified the Taliban government's stance on women's education, Pakistan, and the United States. The presence of female journalists at the press conference was particularly noteworthy.
Foreign Minister Muttaqi stated that his meeting with the Indian Foreign Minister was extremely positive. The two countries agreed to restart stalled development work in Afghanistan and complete unfinished projects. He announced that direct flights between Delhi and Kabul would soon be reinstated.
Muttaqi said, "A joint committee will be formed to promote trade between India and Afghanistan. We also discussed increasing visa facilities for businessmen and students." He invited India to invest in various sectors, including agriculture, and requested the opening of the Attari-Wagah border for trade. He also raised the issue of the release of Afghan citizens detained in India, on which the Indian Foreign Minister has given positive assurances.
Responding to a key question about the ban on women's education in Afghanistan, the Foreign Minister clarified, "There are currently 10 million female students studying in Afghanistan, of whom 2.8 million are women and girls. We have not declared education religiously 'haram,' but due to certain limitations, it has been suspended until further notice."
Regarding the ongoing conflict with Pakistan, he said, "Many people in Pakistan's government and public are peace-loving, but some do not. We know how to protect our borders. If something threatens the country, the entire Afghan nation and government unite." Describing the 20-year conflict with the US and NATO as a fight for independence, he said that Afghanistan is now free and peace has prevailed in the country for the past four years.
Expressing grief over the death of journalist Danish Siddiqui, he said that while 40 years of war have claimed many lives, no such incident has occurred with journalists in the past four years, and that their safety will be ensured in the future. He claimed that under Islamic rule in Afghanistan, everyone's rights are protected and there are no restrictions on anyone.