Dismissing Islamabad’s allegations of Indian involvement in the clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Taliban leader and Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob has said Kabul will “strengthen” ties with New Delhi “within the framework of our national interests”.

The son of Taliban founder the late Mullah Omar, Yaqoob was sent to Doha in Qatar last week by Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada to negotiate a ceasefire pact with Pakistan after deadly clashes.

Once considered to be extremely close to Islamabad, Yaqoob’s remarks have not gone unnoticed in New Delhi . It came days after Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi travelled to New Delhi on a six-day visit, his first since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

While India is still to grant official recognition to Taliban-ruled Af

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