India Backs Kabul Amid Escalating Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Clashes

New Delhi, Oct 16 : India on Wednesday extended strong support to Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity amid rising border tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, asserting that Pakistan’s attempts to link India to terror attacks on its soil were “baseless.”

Responding to media queries, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Three things are clear: Pakistan hosts terrorist organisations and sponsors terror entities; it is an old practice of Pakistan to blame neighbours for its own internal failures; and Pakistan is infuriated at Afghanistan for exercising its territorial integrity. India remains committed to Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

His remarks came as Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged cross-border fire following Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghan territory targeting Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts—actions that Kabul termed an “unprecedented violation of sovereignty.” Afghan forces later retaliated along the Durand Line, intensifying the crisis.

The statement also follows the recent India visit of Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, who met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. During the talks, New Delhi announced plans to upgrade its diplomatic mission in Kabul to Embassy status in the coming days, signalling a gradual normalization of engagement with the Taliban regime.

On queries about the appointment of Afghan diplomats under the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the MEA spokesperson said the matter was “under discussion.”

India has continued to extend humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, including foodgrains, medicines, vaccines, and medical equipment, as well as support for infrastructure projects and bilateral trade.