Bangkok, Oct 22 (NationPress) Afghanistan’s Defence Minister Mohammad Yaqoob has dismissed Pakistan’s assertions that India is responsible for the recent border confrontations between Kabul and Islamabad as “groundless, unreasonable, and intolerable.” He emphasized that the Taliban administration aims to enhance its relationship with India “within the framework of national interests.”

“These claims are without merit. Our stance will never include utilizing our land against other nations. We engage with India as a sovereign state and will fortify those relations based on our national interests,” Yaqoob, the progeny of Taliban founder Mullah Umar, was cited as stating.

Yaqoob, who was once perceived as an ally of Islamabad, emphasized that Pakistan’s claims are “groundless, unreasonable, and intolerable.”

He underscored the importance of mutual respect and dedication for the ongoing peace accord with Pakistan, stating, “Qatar and Turkey should play a role in aiding and overseeing its execution. The agreement will remain valid only if no nation infringes upon another’s territory,” Yaqoob was quoted by Al Jazeera, as reported by Thailand's Page 3 News.

This declaration follows Pakistan’s accusation that India is to blame for Kabul’s deteriorating relations with Islamabad. Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, claimed that the Taliban government was “aligned with India” and participating in “India’s proxy war.”

When questioned about the Afghanistan-Pakistan dispute on October 16, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal remarked, “Three points are evident. Firstly, Pakistan shelters terrorist organizations and funds terrorist activities. Secondly, it is a long-standing tactic of Pakistan to accuse its neighbors for its internal failures. Lastly, Pakistan is frustrated with Afghanistan asserting sovereignty over its territories. India remains steadfastly committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Afghanistan.”

Hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan intensified on October 11, shortly after explosions shook Kabul while Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was in India. In retaliation, the Taliban initiated a lethal offensive along segments of its southern border with Pakistan.

Pakistan has charged the Taliban with permitting hostile factions, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to operate from “safe havens” in Afghanistan, a claim denied by the Taliban. The Taliban has attributed Pakistan's aggressive maneuvers, including airstrikes targeting Kabul, as catalysts for the conflict's escalation.