Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has urged Pakistan and India to open the Wagah border to facilitate trade between Afghanistan and India, emphasizing that economic cooperation should not be held hostage to politics.

Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Muttaqi said that reopening the Wagah route would greatly benefit the people of all three nations by improving trade connectivity and regional economic integration.

“Pakistan and India should open the Wagah border for us,” he said. “This will facilitate trade between Afghanistan and India.”

Trade should be kept separate from politics

The Afghan minister stressed that trade must be viewed separately from political issues, arguing that enhanced economic engagement can strengthen regional stability and prosperity.

“Trade should be seen separately from politics,” Muttaqi said. “This will benefit the people.”

He added that Afghanistan’s economy could be revitalized through greater access to regional markets, and that allowing Afghan goods to pass through Wagah would ease transport costs and support private businesses.

Meanwhile, India has announced that it will reopen its embassy in Kabul, nearly four years after it was shut down following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.

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The announcement came on Friday during a high-level meeting between Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in New Delhi.

The move marks a significant step in restoring diplomatic engagement with the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan. Jaishankar said India’s technical mission in Kabul would now be upgraded to full embassy status, though he did not specify a timeline for the change.

During the meeting, Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaqi expressed satisfaction over his visit to India and underscored his government’s desire to enhance bilateral relations. “I am happy to come to New Delhi and keen to enhance relations,” Muttaqi said, inviting Indian companies to invest in Afghanistan.

He assured India that no group will be allowed to use Afghan territory against other nations, a statement seen as an attempt to address long-standing regional security concerns.

India emphasises shared interests, regional stability

In his remarks, Jaishankar acknowledged Afghanistan’s efforts to engage regionally and praised its commitment to dialogue.

“India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan,” he said. “Closer cooperation between us contributes to your national development, as well as regional stability and resilience.”

Jaishankar also noted that India’s solidarity with Afghanistan was built on shared aspirations and challenges, reaffirming the country’s intent to maintain constructive engagement.