The "Printers' Newspaper" and News 18 website reported on October 10 that Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi held a delegation-level meeting with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar on October 10, and both sides agreed to comprehensively deepen bilateral cooperation. In terms of diplomacy, although India has not yet formally recognized the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, it has decided to upgrade its "Science Mission" in Kabul to an "Embassy." In terms of trade and economy, both sides pledged to advance six new cooperation projects, the specific content of which will be announced after the negotiations. In addition, India welcomed Afghanistan's decision to open its mining industry to Indian companies. In the humanitarian aspect, India donated 20 ambulances to Afghanistan and plans to provide hospitals in Afghanistan with MRI machines, CT scanners, vaccines for immunization, and cancer-fighting drugs. Analysts pointed out that India's strengthening of influence over Afghanistan has important strategic significance, helping it gain more strategic space between China and Pakistan, and expanding its regional influence. In this process, soft power means such as food, healthcare, and educational aid can effectively help India gain favor among the Afghan people. It is worth noting that India also seeks to obtain trade routes to Central Asia through Afghanistan and stable supply of rare earth resources.
Original source: www.toutiao.com/article/1845701848524812/
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