India and Afghanistan reviewed the full spectrum of their bilateral relations during the fourth round of the India-Afghanistan Joint Committee Meeting held in New Delhi on Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

New Delhi reiterated its commitment to supporting the welfare and development needs of the Afghan people, while the two sides discussed cooperation in areas including humanitarian assistance, development projects, food security, healthcare, education, trade, visas and connectivity.

India, Afghanistan Review Bilateral Cooperation

The meeting was co-chaired by M. Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary (PAI) in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Shuaib Baryalai, Director General of the First Political Division in Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the MEA, the two sides reviewed cooperation across humanitarian assistance, development partnership, food security, healthcare, capacity building, education, sports, trade, visas and connectivity.

“The Indian side reiterated its continued commitment to supporting the welfare and development needs of the Afghan people. The Afghan side appreciated India’s sustained support and cooperation across various sectors,” the MEA said in a statement.

Both Sides Agree To Maintain Regular Consultations

India and Afghanistan reaffirmed the importance of continuing regular consultations and maintaining close contact on issues concerning bilateral relations.

“Both sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining regular consultations and agreed to remain in close contact. The next round of the Joint Committee Meeting will be held at a mutually convenient time,” the MEA said.

The meeting formed part of continuing engagement between New Delhi and Kabul over cooperation aimed at supporting the Afghan population and strengthening bilateral ties.

Afghan Delegation Meets Minister Pabitra Margherita

The Afghan delegation also met Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Margherita said discussions during the meeting focused on India-Afghanistan bilateral relations and ongoing cooperation aimed at supporting the welfare and development of the Afghan people.

“The discussions focused on India-Afghanistan bilateral relations, including ongoing cooperation for the welfare and development of the Afghan people,” Margherita said in a post on X.

India Highlights Humanitarian Assistance To Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Mawlawi Ataullah Omari, arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday.

During a press briefing in the national capital last week, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India’s continuing humanitarian assistance and development cooperation with Afghanistan.

“We have an ongoing humanitarian assistance cooperation. We have been sending them medicines… and also been offering development projects which can bring benefit to the lives of people there,” Jaiswal said.

India also criticised Pakistan over its support for cross-border terrorism and strongly condemned Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan that resulted in the deaths of several civilians, including women and children.

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