Pakistan raises concerns over India-Afghanistan joint statement and Taliban minister’s remarks

A day after India and Afghanistan issued a joint statement aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, Pakistan on Sunday expressed “strong reservations” over certain elements of the statement and comments made by Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi during his visit to New Delhi.

The Pakistan Foreign Ministry specifically criticised the reference to Jammu and Kashmir as part of India, calling it “a clear violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions.” These reservations were formally conveyed to the Indian Additional Foreign Secretary (West Asia & Afghanistan).

In the October 10 joint statement, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had thanked Afghanistan for condemning the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 people. The statement added that “both sides unequivocally condemned all acts of terrorism emanating from regional countries” and highlighted the importance of promoting peace, stability, and mutual trust in the region.

Pakistan also took issue with remarks made by Muttaqi in New Delhi, particularly his claim that terrorism is an internal issue of Pakistan. The ministry noted that it had shared details of terrorist elements operating from Afghan soil against Pakistan and stressed that “deflecting responsibility towards Pakistan cannot absolve the interim Afghan government of ensuring peace and stability in the region and beyond.”

The comments came after Muttaqi condemned multiple explosions in Afghanistan, blamed Pakistan for them, and asserted that Afghan soil “could never” be used for terrorism. He added, according to ANI, “We consider this act of Pakistan wrong… Afghanistan has peace and progress after 40 years.”

The Pakistan Foreign Ministry also emphasised that unauthorised Afghan nationals cannot remain in the country and reiterated its right to regulate the presence of foreign nationals.

This visit marked the first high-level diplomatic engagement between India and the Taliban government since Afghanistan’s takeover in 2021. Muttaqi met Jaishankar in New Delhi on Friday and assured that Afghanistan would not allow any group to use its territory against other countries. “I am happy to be in Delhi, and this visit will increase understanding between the two countries. India and Afghanistan should increase their engagements and exchanges… We will not allow any group to use our territory against others,” he said.

The Taliban minister’s trip was facilitated by a temporary travel exemption from the UN Security Council Committee and was announced earlier this month.