Afghanistan’s defence minister, Mullah Yaqoob, has rejected Pakistan’s claims that India played any role in the recent Pakistan-Afghanistan war between the two neighbours. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Yaqoob said the accusations were ‘baseless’, stressing that Afghanistan would never allow its land to be used against any country. The violence erupted on 11 October, following explosions in Kabul during a rare visit by Taliban foreign minister Amir Muttaqi to India.
Yaqoob Denies India’s Role in Pakistan-Afghanistan War
Pakistan’s defence minister, Khawaja Asif, accused the Taliban of acting under India’s influence, saying the leadership was ‘sitting in India’s lap’. He warned of serious consequences for cross-border attacks. In response, Yaqoob reaffirmed Afghanistan’s independence, saying relations with India and Pakistan are guided solely by national interests.
