India on Monday dispatched a consignment of food items to earthquake-hit Afghanistan, where a powerful 6.3 magnitude tremor recently left at least 20 people dead and over 500 injured across the northern provinces of Samangan, Balkh, and Baghlan.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the relief aid underscores New Delhi’s continued commitment to support the Afghan people in times of crisis.
“Reaffirming its support to the Afghan people, India delivers food items for the families affected by the earthquake,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.
Following the disaster, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi to express condolences over the loss of lives.
“Called FM Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi of Afghanistan this afternoon to convey condolences at the loss of lives in the earthquake that struck Balkh, Samangan and Baghlan provinces. Indian relief material for the earthquake impacted communities is being handed over today. Further supplies of medicines to reach soon,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.
Jaishankar added that he and Muttaqi also reviewed progress in bilateral ties and welcomed “the improving people-to-people contacts between India and Afghanistan.”
Muttaqi visited India last month — his first trip to New Delhi since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021.
