Taliban Says Ties With India 'Independent', Dubs Pakistan's 'Proxy War' Claims Illogical

Last Updated:October 21, 2025, 20:20 IST

Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid said Afghanistan maintains relations with India based on national interests while preserving good-neighborly ties with Pakistan.

Afghan Defence Minister, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid and Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif sign documents of a ceasefire agreement, during a negotations meeting mediated by Qatar and Turkey, in Doha, Qatar. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

Afghanistan Defence Minister, from the ruling Taliban regime, Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, dismissed Pakistan’s claims that India was involved in recent tensions as “groundless" and “illogical."

He said Kabul’s policy will never allow its territory to be used against other countries and stressed that ties with India are independent, guided solely by Afghanistan’s national interests. Mujahid added that while Afghanistan seeks to maintain good-neighbourly relations with Pakistan, the country aims to expand cooperation, not fuel conflicts.

Mujahid made the comments in Doha in an interview with Qatar-run broadcaster Al Jazeera.

“These accusations are groundless. Our policy will never involve using our territory against other countries. We maintain relations with India as an independent nation and will strengthen those ties within the framework of our national interests," Mujahid said.

“At the same time, we will preserve our relations with Pakistan based on good neighborliness. Our aim is to expand relations, not create tensions. Pakistan’s accusations are unfounded, illogical, and unacceptable," he further added.

Fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistan broke out after explosions in Kabul on October 9.

The Taliban government blamed the blasts on its neighbour and launched a retaliatory border offensive, prompting Islamabad to vow a strong response.

After further clashes left soldiers and civilians dead, the two sides declared an initial 48-hour ceasefire on Wednesday.

New Pakistani strikes hit Afghanistan on Friday, with Islamabad saying it was targeting armed groups that the Taliban harbours and allows to launch attacks on Pakistani territory — a claim that Kabul denies.

Taliban alleges that Pakistan also harbours and provides support to Islamic State’s local wing, the Khorasan group.

The two sides approved a second ceasefire on Sunday, to the relief of many along the border.

After the peace talks in Doha, Qatar’s foreign ministry said the ceasefire deal provides for “the establishment of mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace", but their details have not been disclosed.

Shankhyaneel Sarkar

Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has covered se...Read More

Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has covered se...

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