New Delhi, Sep 1 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today spoke with the Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi and conveyed that India has delivered 1,000 family tents and 15 tonnes of food material, in the aftermath of a massive quake that hit Afghanistan.
The phone call between EAM and the Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister is the highest level contact between the two sides, and comes after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Muttaqi in Dubai in January this year.
While India has not officially recognised the Taliban government, which took over Kabul in August 2021, it is continuing with its developmental and humanitarian aid for the Afghan people. India has a “technical” team in place at the Indian Embassy in Kabul.
In a post on X, the EAM said: “Spoke with Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi today. Expressed our condolences at the loss of lives in the earthquake.
“Conveyed that India has delivered 1000 family tents today in Kabul. 15 tonnes of food material is also being immediately moved by Indian Mission from Kabul to Kunar. Further relief material will be sent from India starting tomorrow.
“Wish early recovery of those injured. India stands by Afghanistan at this difficult time.”
Muttaqi expressed his gratitude for India’s solidarity with the Afghan people during this tragedy and assured that the aid will be delivered to those in need in a timely manner.
As a result of the earthquake that struck Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman provinces shortly before midnight on Sunday, at least 812 people have so far been confirmed dead and almost 3,000 injured.
The Indian embassy in Kabul delivered the 1,000 tents to the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation to assist those affected by the earthquake.
Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and property caused by Sunday night’s 6.0-magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan’s eastern provinces.
The worst hit province was Kunar, but other provinces that were also badly affected included Nangarhar, Laghman, Nuristan, and Panjshir.
