Taliban, Kabul, and Ankara unite in worldwide protest, while Delhi counters Islamabad’s actions.

Since the Pahalgam terror attack, India and Pakistan have engaged in a fierce diplomatic struggle, with both Delhi and Islamabad seeking to garner international backing.

While the foreign ministries of both nations informed foreign ambassadors in their capitals, Delhi dispatched M Anand Prakash, the Joint Secretary responsible for Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran in the Ministry of External Affairs, to Kabul this week — Prakash managed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) within the MEA.

Before Prakash arrived in Kabul, the Foreign Ministry of Taliban-led Afghanistan denounced the Pahalgam terror incident.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan categorically condemns the recent attack on tourists in the Pahalgam region of Jammu and Kashmir, and expresses condolences to the bereaved families,” its spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said. He said “such incidents undermine efforts to ensure regional security and stability”.

On Monday, Kabul announced that a senior Indian diplomat had conferred with Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi regarding methods to bolster bilateral political ties and improve trade and transit collaboration.

The ministry stated that they shared perspectives on recent regional events. The statement noted that Muttaqi emphasized the significance of enhancing diplomatic and economic ties between Kabul and Delhi. He emphasized the importance of easing the movement of individuals between the two nations and urged for the normalization of visa processes for entrepreneurs, patients, and students.

Prakash reaffirmed India’s dedication to its relationship with Afghanistan and expressed hope for enhanced collaboration in various fields. He reiterated Delhi’s plan to maintain support for Kabul and communicated India’s eagerness to invest in infrastructure projects, including the revival of halted initiatives. This meeting followed months after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s meeting with Muttaqi in Dubai.

The January meeting marked the initial high-level engagement by the Indian official establishment. During this meeting, the Afghan representatives assured India that they do not threaten any country and expressed hope for enhancing diplomatic relations with India — Delhi has yet to officially recognize the Taliban.

In addition to interacting with the Taliban and obtaining a statement denouncing the Pahalgam terror strike, Delhi also perceives the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s statement as favorable. At the same time, Islamabad is contemplating taking its case to the Permanent Court of Arbitration or the International Court of Justice regarding the halt of the Indus Waters Treaty, sources indicated. India has announced that it will suspend the Treaty.