New Delhi, Oct 12 (NationPress) Senior Congress leader and MP Imran Masood has voiced his support for the Indian government’s engagement with the Taliban-led administration in Afghanistan, expressing enthusiasm over the recent visit of Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to New Delhi.

Masood praised the government's choice to provide a “red carpet welcome” to Muttaqi, underscoring the strategic importance of fostering stronger relations with Afghanistan.

“Pakistan cannot accept the notion of India building solid relations with Afghanistan. From a strategic standpoint, it is vital for India to enhance its connections with Kabul. I commend the government for honoring the Afghan foreign minister appropriately,” Masood stated.

In a pointed critique of the ruling BJP, the Congress MP reminded that some BJP figures had previously denounced the Taliban as possessing a “Talibani mindset” in Parliament. Masood suggested that such political rhetoric should not dictate India’s foreign policy.

“These are the same Taliban that your party’s leaders once condemned in Parliament, referring to them as ‘Talibani thinking’. If wisdom has finally triumphed, then thanks are in order. It should now be evident that our foreign policy and diplomacy must not be influenced by domestic politics,” Masood emphasized, adding that national interest must always come first.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Muttaqi is currently on a week-long visit to India, where he aims to advocate for enhanced trade and economic collaboration between India and Afghanistan.

Officials indicate that over two dozen Afghan traders are expected to arrive in Delhi on Monday to meet with Muttaqi, highlighting Kabul’s increasing interest in strengthening commercial ties with India. Key sectors targeted for trade partnership include dry fruits, pharmaceuticals, public infrastructure, and more.

During a limited media interaction at the Afghan Embassy in Delhi on Friday, Muttaqi also promoted the utilization of the Chabahar port for India-Afghanistan trade and called for the opening of the Attari-Wagah border for Indian exports, a route currently obstructed by Pakistan.

In his high-level discussions, including meetings with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Muttaqi also extended an invitation to Indian enterprises to invest in Afghanistan’s mining sector, which is rich in untapped reserves of copper, lithium, iron, gold, and other strategic minerals.