New Delhi, October 14 — Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Monday declared that the Islamic State (ISIS) has been completely eliminated from Afghan soil, asserting that the Taliban-led Islamic Emirate had restored full security and control across the country since 2021.
“When America and NATO were present, ISIS had major centres across several provinces. Even then, we faced clashes and conflicts. But after the Islamic Emirate took full control, a strong operation was carried out, and now, thankfully, there isn’t an inch of Afghan soil where ISIS or any other group operates,” Muttaqi said, addressing an interaction organised by FICCI in New Delhi.
Speaking on recent border tensions with Pakistan, Muttaqi said Afghanistan had “achieved its objectives” before halting operations at the request of “friendly Gulf countries”. “Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE requested that the war should stop, and we agreed,” he said, adding that no major incident had occurred since.
“We believe war is not a solution to any problem. Dialogue and diplomacy are needed to resolve issues. This will be our policy in the future as well,” Muttaqi said. “We want people in the region to live in peace and prosper.”
In a significant announcement, the Afghan minister revealed that direct flights between Amritsar and Kabul and Kandahar will commence soon, describing the move as a “historic step” to boost trade and people-to-people ties.
Dr Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Rajya Sabha MP and member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce, said the new routes would create “a faster and more secure air bridge” between India and Afghanistan. “This will especially benefit farmers, traders and MSMEs dealing in agri-products, dry fruits, handicrafts and pharmaceuticals,” he said.
Muttaqi also called on India to engage with the United States to seek the lifting of sanctions on Iran’s Chabahar Port, which serves as a key transit route for India-Afghanistan trade. “We have raised this issue with the US and support the optimum utilisation of the strategically located port,” he said, noting that Amritsar’s location and proximity to border trade corridors make it a “natural hub for India-Afghanistan commerce.”
Meanwhile, a delegation of Afghan Hindus and Sikhs under the aegis of the Afghan Minorities Council, coordinated by the Indian World Forum, called on the visiting minister at the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi. The 13-member delegation, including seven senior community leaders, discussed community affairs and protection of religious sites.
The Afghan Minorities Council, which manages historic gurdwaras and mandirs and oversees the affairs of Afghan-origin Hindus and Sikhs, serves as the supreme decision-making body for Afghan minorities and maintains an active office in Kabul.
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