Iranian and Indian Officials Discuss Regional Contact Group on Afghanistan

Hassan Kazemi Qomi, Iran's special envoy for Afghanistan, and JP Singh, Joint Secretary of Ministry of External Affairs of India, recently engaged in discussions about establishing a "Regional Contact Group" to manage situation in Afghanistan.

Emphasising the group's significance, Qomi highlighted its potential impact on stabilising Afghanistan.

In a social media post on platform X, Qomi noted on Sunday that the discussions also touched upon the strategic importance of the Chabahar port in bolstering economic ties with Afghanistan.

While details on the contact group's formation remain sparse, it is widely perceived as Iran's effort to underscore the influence of neighbouring countries in Afghanistan's affairs, potentially reducing the United States' involvement.

Concurrently, India's deputy foreign minister, on a two-day visit to Tehran, deliberated over the Chabahar port in meetings with Iran's foreign minister and other top officials.

The port stands as a crucial trade route between Afghanistan and India, serving as a prime alternative to Karachi port.

Given the escalating tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan regarding goods transit through Karachi port, the discussions between Iranian and Indian diplomats on the Chabahar port assume greater significance for advancing Afghanistan's economic relations.