Muttaqi declares Afghanistan ISIS-free; announces Amritsar-Kabul flights soon

Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, declared on Monday that the terror group ISIS has been completely wiped out from Afghan soil, asserting that the Islamic Emirate has restored full control and security across the country after the Taliban’s takeover in 2021.

“When America and NATO had their presence, there were major ISIS centres across various provinces. Even then, we faced clashes and conflicts. But after the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan took full control of the country, a strong operation was carried out, and now, thankfully, there isn’t an inch of Afghan soil where ISIS or any other group operates,” Muttaqi said, addressing reporters in New Delhi.

Muttaqi, who was attending an interaction organised by industry body FICCI, also spoke about recent border tensions with Pakistan, saying Afghanistan had “achieved its objective” in responding to Pakistani aggression before halting its operations at the request of “friendly Gulf countries”.

“During the operation, our friendly countries – Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE – requested that the war should stop, and we agreed,” he said, adding that there has been no major incident since. “We believe war is not a solution to any problem. Dialogue and diplomacy are needed to resolve issues. This will be our policy in the future as well. We want people in the region to live in peace and prosper,” Muttaqi said.

In a significant announcement aimed at improving regional connectivity, Muttaqi said that direct flights between Amritsar and improving trade and people-to-people ties, saying that direct flights between Amritsar and Kabul and Kandahar would commence soon. Calling the move a “historic step”, Dr Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Rajya Sabha MP and member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce and the Consultative Committee of External Affairs, said the new routes would create “a faster and more secure air bridge” between India and Afghanistan, particularly benefiting farmers, traders, and MSMEs involved in agri-products, dry fruits, fresh fruits, handicrafts, and pharmaceuticals.

“Amritsar’s strategic location and proximity to border trade corridors will make it a natural hub for Afghanistan-India commerce,” he said. Meanwhile, a delegation of Afghan Hindus and Sikhs under the aegis of Afghan Minorities Council, in coordination with the Indian World Forum, called on the visiting Afghan Foreign Minister at the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi. The meeting, described as a courtesy call, included 13 representatives, seven of whom were senior community leaders.

The council, which oversees the affairs of Afghan-origin Hindus and Sikhs and manages historic gurdwaras and mandirs in Afghanistan, serves as the supreme decision-making body for Afghan minorities and maintains an active office in Kabul. Muttaqi’s visit to India – his first in recent months – is being seen as part of Kabul’s effort to expand economic engagement and regional cooperation, even as it seeks greater recognition for the Taliban-led government.