Head Of Taliban's Political Office Calls India An "Important Country"; Extends Support To Chabahar Port

For the first time since usurping power in the country of Afghanistan, the Taliban has made an outreach to India with the head of its political office Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai terming India an "important country", reports WION. He also called for maintaining good diplomatic and economic ties with New Delhi.

Stanikzai said, "India is a very important country in the subcontinent. We want to continue our economic and diplomatic relations with them. Our business is linked with India through Pakistan, and we want to keep that connectivity opened."

Stanikzai further added that the air freight corridor which was established in 2017 to promote bilateral ties between Kabul and New Delhi bypassing Pakistan would remain open.

Stanikzai also said, "We give due importance to our political, economic and trade ties with India and we want these ties to continue. We are looking forward to working with India in this regard. We want these relations to continue."

Stanikzai also extended support for the strategically located Chabahar port in neighbouring Iran which has been built by India. He said that the traders should use the port, adding “there will be no barriers towards for trading through the port”.