Moscow [Russia] October 20 (ANI): Representative of India and Taliban met on the sidelines of Moscow format talks here on Wednesday. According to a tweet by Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah, India has agreed to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.

Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had already expressed India’s desire to help Afghans with food, medicine, and other humanitarian assistance. India had earlier called for unhindered access in Afghanistan for humanitarian assistance providers and looked forward to equitable distribution among all ethnic groups. India is expected to route humanitarian aid to Afghanistan through a UN agency.

An official spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan also tweeted, “Both sides considered to take into account each other concerns and improve diplomatic and economic relations.” The high-level delegation was led by Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, and the Indian side was represented by JP Singh, joint secretary (Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran) at the Ministry of External Affairs.

Earlier during opening remarks at Moscow talks, the Russian foreign minister emphasized that it is time for the international community to mobilize and provide Kabul with aid to prevent a humanitarian and refugee crisis. Ten countries including China, Pakistan, India, and Central Asian countries participated in the talks.

India has limited contact with Taliban government representatives in Doha. India has not recognized the Taliban regime and has asserted that a more inclusive and representative government should be formed. New Delhi has also time and again expressed concerns about the use of Afghan soil for anti-India activities backed by Pak spy agency ISI.

India ready to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, says Taliban spokesman Mujahid

Taliban‘s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on Wednesday said that India affirmed to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan at the Moscow Format Dialogue. Mujahid shared the information from an unverified Twitter handle. “Indian envoy to Moscow Format Dialogue meeting said that the people of Afghanistan need humanitarian assistance; Afghanistan is going through a difficult situation. India is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan,” tweeted the Taliban spokesman.

A senior official of the Ministry of External affairs JP Singh is representing India at the Moscow consultations on Afghanistan. As per Mujahid, the Taliban delegation of the Islamic Emirate met with Singh. “A high-level delegation led by Maulvi Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan met with JP Singh, Special Representative of India for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran and his accompanying delegation on the sidelines of the Moscow Format Meeting in Moscow today,” Mujahid said in a tweet.

“Both sides considered it necessary to take into account each other’s concerns and improve diplomatic and economic relations. The Indian side finally expressed readiness to provide extensive humanitarian assistance to the Afghans,” added Mujahid. (ANI)