'Our DNA Is One': Afghan Minister Lauds Ties With India On Maiden Visit As Tensions Flares Up With Pakistan

Last Updated:July 11, 2026, 07:26 IST

Omari's remarks unfold against a tense backdrop of escalating cross-border tensions and deteriorating diplomatic ties between Kabul and Islamabad

Afghanistan’s Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Mawlawi Attaullah Omari, expressed gratitude to India for the warm welcome extended to him and hailed the ties between the two nations, emphasising, “our DNA is one". 

Speaking at the India-Afghanistan Trade Opportunities Industry Interactive Session organised by PHDCCI under the aegis of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday, Omari highlighted that the Afghan government is actively seeking international cooperation to accelerate the country’s economic growth.

On his maiden trip to India, Omari thanked New Delhi for the warm welcome. “This is my first trip to India…From the very first day I landed in India, I received a warm welcome from the Indian government, the Minister of External Affairs, and everyone I met."

“It feels as if I am among my own people…It feels like our own country, and as you mentioned, our DNA is one…" he said.

Omari’s remarks unfold against a tense backdrop of escalating cross-border tensions and deteriorating diplomatic ties between Kabul and Islamabad. By underscoring a shared civilizational heritage, Kabul is seemingly pivoting toward New Delhi as it seeks an economic backing and a reliable regional partner to counter mounting geopolitical pressures from Pakistan.

‘Hope For Afghanistan

Omari underlined that the hospitality he received in India instilled in the people of Afghanistan a beacon of hope. “This warm welcome which we received is like hope for people of Afghanistan and their betterment… 80 per cent of our population is involved in lifestock, agriculture, and irrigation it is now the time to modernise them with new technology", he said.

This week, New Delhi and Kabul reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral ties during the fourth round of the India-Afghanistan Joint Committee Meeting in New Delhi.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two sides held talks on cooperation across a wide range of sectors –– humanitarian assistance, development partnership, food security, healthcare, capacity building, education, sports, trade, and more.

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