Particle.news
Download on the App Store

India Delivers Quake Relief in Northern Afghanistan as Jaishankar Speaks With Taliban FM

India’s relief push underscores a cautious deepening of engagement with Taliban authorities after the recent upgrade of its Kabul mission to an embassy.

Overview

  • Officials reported a 6.3-magnitude quake near Mazar-i-Sharif that killed at least 20 people and injured more than 900 across Balkh, Samangan and Baghlan.
  • India handed over an initial consignment of 15 tonnes of food for affected families, with the foreign ministry sharing images of trucks delivering the aid on the ground.
  • External affairs minister S. Jaishankar phoned Afghanistan’s Amir Khan Muttaqi to offer condolences and said additional medical supplies will arrive soon.
  • The Afghan side recently acknowledged India’s donation of over 16 tonnes of anti-vector-borne disease medicines and diagnostic kits to bolster public health capacity.
  • New Delhi is promoting its “India First Responder” role as China signals readiness to assist, reflecting broader regional jockeying alongside India’s stepped-up Kabul presence.