India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri meets Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister and Taliban leader Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai

Much importantly, the Afghan and Indian diplomats "agreed to remain in touch and continue regular contacts at various levels".

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held talks with Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai on Wednesday. 

The two sides discussed about various issues pertaining to bilateral relations as well as regional developments, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

Misri reiterated India's commitment to continue to provide humanitarian and development assistance to the Afghan people. The Aghan minister thanked India for continuing its support for Afghanistan.

"Both sides discussed India's ongoing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, bilateral issues and security situation in the region," a tweet from the Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said.  

"India reiterated its commitment to continue to provide humanitarian & development assistance to the Afghan people. 

Agreed to promote trade and commerce, including through Chabahar port. 

India will also extend its support to the health sector & rehabilitation of refugees in the country," said the missive.  

It may be recalled that in response to the needs of the Afghan people, India decided to extend humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. 

India has so far dispatched several shipments consisting of 50,000 MTs of wheat, 300 tons of medicines, 27 tons of earthquake relief aid, 40,000 litres of pesticides, 100 million polio doses, 1.5 million doses of COVID Vaccine, 11,000 units of hygiene kits for the drug de-addiction programme, 500 units of winter clothing and 1.2 tons of stationery kits, etc.

In response to the request from the Afghan side, India will provide further material support in the first instance to the health sector and for the rehabilitation of refugees. 

"The two sides also discussed strengthening of sports (cricket) cooperation, which is highly valued by the young generation of Afghanistan. 

It was also agreed to promote the use of Chabahar port for supporting trade and commercial activities, including for the purpose of humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan.

The Afghan side underlined its sensitivities to India's security concerns. 

The two sides agreed to remain in touch and continue regular contacts at various levels," an official statement from the MEA said. 

The two sides evaluated the ongoing Indian humanitarian assistance programmes. 

The Afghan Minister appreciated and thanked the Indian leadership for continuing to engage and support the people of Afghanistan. 

In view of the current need for development activities, it was decided that India would consider engaging in development projects in the near future, in addition to the ongoing humanitarian assistance programme, the MEA stated, 

ends