Muttaqi went on to say that allies Saudi Arabia and Qatar asked him to defuse the issue. Negotiations are still possible, he continued, and the border situation is currently under control.
At his second news conference in New Delhi, where women journalists were present, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi stated that both Pakistan and Afghanistan desire good relations and regional peace.
Following Afghanistan’s announcement on Sunday that it had killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in nighttime border operations in retaliation for what it described as repeated violations of its airspace and territory, Muttaqi made his declaration. The Pakistani army reported 23 servicemen were killed, which is a much smaller number.
The minister was reacting to Gaurie Dwivedi of NDTV regarding the border hostilities and Afghanistan’s previous comments regarding Pakistan’s purported attempts to attack Russia and Iran.
Afghanistan believes the Pakistani government and people are peace-loving, despite border conflicts, Muttaqi added. “Some organizations in Pakistan are attempting to incite instability. We reacted very away because it was about defending our borders,” he said.
Muttaqi went on to say that allies Saudi Arabia and Qatar asked him to defuse the issue. Negotiations are still possible, he continued, and the border situation is currently under control. The Taliban brought peace to Afghanistan, he claimed, and they want the same for the whole region.
First Visit to India Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, Muttaqi arrived in New Delhi on Thursday on a six-day visit during which he will hold high-level discussions with S Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs.
Since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan four years ago, he is the first senior Afghan minister to travel to India. Delhi has yet to formally acknowledge the Taliban government.
His visit coincides with tense relations between Afghanistan and India and Pakistan due to security and terrorism concerns.
First Press Conference Causes Disputation
After media persons initially revealed that there were no female journalists there, Muttaqi’s first news conference in Delhi on Friday caused a stir. It was deemed “unacceptable” and an “insult to women” by the opposition.
“Over 2.8 million women and girls are among the 10 million pupils enrolled in our schools and institutions. Education at madrasas lasts till graduation. Although there are some restrictions, women’s education has never been deemed to be religiously “haram”—rather, it has only been put on hold until further notice,” he continued.
The lack of female journalists at the initial press conference with Embassy officials and security personnel was brought up by media prior to the press conference.
Many nations, as well as international organizations like the United Nations, have harshly criticized the Taliban government in Kabul for limiting women’s rights in Afghanistan.
