NEW DELHI (The Thursday Times) — Afghan Taliban Agriculture Minister Mawlawi Ataullah Omari has described India as feeling “like our own country” and said Indians and Afghans “share the same DNA”, offering a striking endorsement of relations between the two countries during a visit to New Delhi.
Speaking at an industry interaction on India-Afghanistan trade opportunities organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Omari appealed for closer economic cooperation and greater Indian investment in Afghanistan’s agricultural sector.
“It feels as if I am among my own people. It feels like our own country, and as you mentioned, our DNA is one,” Mr Omari told business leaders and officials attending the event.
“The people of India and Afghanistan share the same DNA.”
“It feels as I am among my own people, as if I am in my own country.”
says, Afghan Taliban minister Attaullah Omari during his visit to India pic.twitter.com/pLFpBcEwTj
— The Thursday Times (@thursday_times) July 10, 2026
The remarks reflect a notable shift in the public tone of engagement between India and the Taliban-led administration in Kabul. Although New Delhi has not formally recognised the Taliban government since it returned to power in August 2021, contacts between the two sides have steadily expanded through humanitarian assistance, diplomatic engagement and trade.
Mr Omari said Afghanistan was seeking Indian cooperation to modernise its agriculture sector, describing India as an important regional partner with longstanding historical and cultural links to the Afghan people.
The visit centred on expanding commercial relations between the two countries, with discussions covering investment, agricultural development and cross-border trade. Business representatives from both sides attended the session, which was aimed at encouraging greater private sector cooperation.
India reopened its diplomatic presence in Kabul in 2022 and has since maintained regular contact with Taliban officials while stopping short of extending formal diplomatic recognition.
