India and Afghanistan are reaffirming their historic relationship, pushing back against Pakistan’s attempts to drive a wedge between the two countries during Operation Sindoor. A recent phone call between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi demonstrated a strong message of bilateral trust.

The conversation saw Kabul reject false claims of Indian missile strikes made by Pakistan, instead reaffirming its commitment to closer cooperation with New Delhi. Jaishankar appreciated the Afghan government’s clear stance against attempts to create distrust, calling attention to India’s enduring friendship and support for Afghan development.

Hafiz Zia Ahmad, Director of Public Communication at Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry, noted that the discussion focused on increasing diplomatic engagement, facilitating trade, and addressing issues such as visa access and the release of Afghan prisoners in India.

In an earlier statement, Afghanistan’s Defence Ministry also dismissed Pakistan’s allegations of Indian involvement in missile strikes during Operation Sindoor as “baseless” and “unfounded.” Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri similarly labeled the claims as “ludicrous.”

India has continued its humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, providing essential goods such as medicines, wheat, and vaccines. Since June 2022, an Indian technical team has been active in Kabul, reinforcing India’s commitment despite the lack of formal recognition of the Taliban regime.

Diplomatic sources suggest that Afghanistan’s current government sees India as a long-term, reliable partner—both strategically and economically—unlike Pakistan. Experts believe India’s outreach reflects regional realities and mutual interests in development, education, and healthcare.

The deepening of India-Afghanistan ties, bolstered by Operation Sindoor’s diplomatic backdrop, has exposed Pakistan’s diminishing influence in Kabul and reasserted New Delhi’s position as a key player in regional stability.