Kabul Rejects Islamabad’s Accusations
The Taliban government has strongly rejected Pakistan’s recent claims that India is backing Afghanistan in a “proxy war” against Islamabad. Afghanistan’s Defence Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid described the allegations as baseless, illogical, and unacceptable, emphasizing that Kabul will never allow its territory to be used against any other country.
In a recent interview, Yaqoob stated that Afghanistan maintains its foreign relations independently and aims to strengthen ties with India based on national interests and mutual respect.
Strengthening Ties with India
According to Yaqoob, Afghanistan’s relations with India are built on cooperation, not conflict. He said, “We will continue to build our relationship with India as a sovereign nation and within the framework of our own interests.”
He added that the Taliban leadership is focused on regional peace and stability, aiming to develop balanced relations with all neighboring countries, including Pakistan.
Relations with Pakistan
While rejecting Pakistan’s accusations, Yaqoob also said that Afghanistan wishes to maintain good neighborly relations with Islamabad. He highlighted that the peace agreement between both sides should be respected and monitored with the help of Qatar and Turkey to ensure no violations of territorial sovereignty occur.
Escalating Border Tensions
Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have risen sharply since October 11, following a series of explosions in Kabul. Soon after, clashes erupted along the border, disrupting trade and the daily lives of civilians on both sides.
Pakistan accused the Afghan Taliban of providing shelter to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and allowing them to launch attacks from Afghan soil — a charge the Taliban government has repeatedly denied.
Kabul, in turn, blamed Pakistan’s airstrikes and cross-border aggression for escalating the situation, stating that Afghanistan will defend its sovereignty at all costs.
Pakistan’s Claim of Indian Involvement
Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, recently alleged that the Taliban is “sitting in India’s lap” and fighting on behalf of New Delhi. He claimed that India is using Afghanistan to undermine Pakistan’s internal security.
However, India dismissed these claims as yet another attempt by Islamabad to shift blame for its own domestic and border problems.
India’s Response
India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated that Pakistan has a long-standing habit of accusing other nations to cover its internal failures. The spokesperson reaffirmed that India remains committed to Afghanistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence, and does not interfere in its internal affairs.
Evolving Regional Diplomacy
Although India has not formally recognized the Taliban government, it has taken measured steps to rebuild communication, including meetings between senior diplomats and limited humanitarian support.
This evolving engagement reflects India’s strategic interest in maintaining regional stability while keeping a cautious distance from direct political endorsement.
Conclusion
The ongoing war of words between Afghanistan and Pakistan highlights the fragile balance of power in South Asia. While Pakistan continues to accuse Kabul of harboring militants and aligning with India, the Taliban insists that its policies are based on independence and mutual respect.
As Afghanistan works to strengthen its ties with India, the region watches closely to see whether diplomacy or distrust will define the next chapter in Afghan-Pakistani relations.
