Muttaqi claims Afghanistan now free of ISIS, hints at Amritsar-Kabul flights

Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Monday declared that the terror group ISIS has been completely wiped out from Afghan soil, asserting that the Islamic Emirate had 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 mediapersons 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 objectives” in responding to Pakistani aggression before halting its operations at the request of “friendly Gulf countries”.

“During the operation, 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,” said Muttaqi.

Further in a significant announcement aimed at improving regional connectivity, Muttaqi said direct flights between Amritsar and Kabul and Kandahar would commence soon, describing it as a step to boost trade and people-to-people ties.

Calling the move a “historic step”, Dr Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Rajya Sabha MP and member of the 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.

'India must engage with US over Chabahar port sanctions'

New Delhi: India should engage with the US for lifting sanctions on the Chabahar port, Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said on Monday. He asserted that it is in favour of the optimum utilisation of the strategically located port, and has also raised the issue of the removal of restrictions in its meetings with the US.

“Amritsar’s strategic location and proximity to border trade corridors make it a natural hub for India-Afghanistan commerce,” he said.

Meanwhile, a delegation of Afghan Hindus and Sikhs under the aegis of the 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 them 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.