Kabul/New Delhi: Reiterating its firm commitment to the people of Afghanistan, India on Friday sent 73 tonnes of critical medicines, vaccines, and essential health supplements to Afghanistan to address urgent medical requirements.

Announcing the delivery, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X, “Augmenting Afghanistan’s healthcare efforts. India has delivered 73 tonnes of life-saving medicines, vaccines and essential supplements to Kabul to cater to urgent medical needs. India’s unwavering support to the Afghan people continues.”

High-Level Engagements in New Delhi

Last week, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held talks in New Delhi with Afghanistan’s Industry and Commerce Minister Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi. The discussions focused on expanding cooperation in trade, connectivity, and strengthening people-to-people relations between the two countries.

Following the meeting, Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to Afghanistan’s development and welfare. “Pleased to meet Industry and Commerce Minister of Afghanistan, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi in New Delhi this evening. Discussed ways to strengthen our trade, connectivity and people to people ties. Reiterated India’s support for the development and welfare of the people of Afghanistan,” he wrote on X.

Humanitarian Support After Earthquake

Earlier this month, India supplied food assistance to families affected by an earthquake in Afghanistan’s Balkh, Samangan, and Baghlan provinces. Highlighting the effort, the Ministry of External Affairs posted on X, “Reaffirming its support to the Afghan people, India delivers food items for the families affected by the earthquake.”

The humanitarian aid followed a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake in northern Afghanistan that claimed over 20 lives and left hundreds injured.

Continued Assistance and Diplomatic Outreach

On October 10, India dispatched additional food supplies as part of its continuing humanitarian assistance programme for those impacted by the disaster. “India has delivered additional food supplies as part of its ongoing humanitarian assistance to those affected by the earthquake,” Jaiswal said.

On the same day, EAM Jaishankar also met Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi. Their talks covered India’s support for Afghanistan’s development, bilateral trade, territorial integrity, independence, people-to-people ties, and capacity building.

Jaishankar described Muttaqi’s visit as an “important step” in strengthening bilateral engagement and announced that India had handed over five ambulances to Afghanistan as part of its ongoing assistance.