Taliban Seek Indian Cooperation on Water Management, Agricultural Modernization

DID Press: Taliban officials have called for expanded cooperation with India in water resource management, agricultural modernization, and investment, including support for a proposed project to transfer water from the Panjshir River to Kabul.

Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor, the Taliban-appointed acting head of Afghanistan’s embassy in New Delhi, said relations between Afghanistan and India are rooted in a long shared history and expressed hope for closer bilateral cooperation.

Highlighting Afghanistan’s water management needs, Noor said India is not only an important market but also possesses advanced expertise in agriculture and technology. He called for Indian assistance in water resource management and agricultural development, including the proposed transfer of water from the Panjshir River to Kabul.

Meanwhile, Mullah Ataullah Omari, the Taliban’s acting minister of agriculture, irrigation and livestock, who is leading a delegation on a visit to India, thanked Indian officials for their hospitality during what he described as his first trip to the country. He also remarked that he felt “among his own people” and said the two nations share close historical and cultural ties.

Noor added that political engagement between the two sides has increased, noting that four Afghan ministers have visited India since October 2025. He also encouraged Indian investors to expand investment in Afghanistan, particularly in the agricultural sector, citing what he described as improved security conditions.