India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan in Dubai on Wednesday for talks on a number of issues.

According to a statement issued by India’s foreign ministry, the two diplomats discussed the need to strengthen bilateral ties and ongoing regional issues.

Misri reaffirmed India's long-standing friendship with the people of Afghanistan, and emphasized the strong people-to-people connections between the two nations.

Misri highlighted India's commitment to addressing Afghanistan's urgent developmental needs and extending humanitarian support.

The discussions also included an assessment of India's ongoing humanitarian assistance programs in Afghanistan.

Misri outlined India's contributions, which have included multiple shipments of critical aid such as 50,000 metric tons of wheat, 300 tons of medicines, and 27 tons of earthquake relief supplies. Other assistance provided by India includes 40,000 liters of pesticides, 100 million doses of polio vaccine, 1.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, hygiene kits for drug rehabilitation, winter clothing, and educational materials.

Muttaqi expressed his gratitude to India for its continued engagement and support to the Afghan people.

He acknowledged the positive impact of these humanitarian efforts and emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation in the near future.

Both parties agreed to explore further developmental initiatives to complement the existing humanitarian programs.

India also agreed to provide additional support in the areas of health and refugee rehabilitation, as requested by Afghanistan. Furthermore, the two sides discussed enhancing sports cooperation, particularly in cricket, a sport that holds significant cultural value for Afghanistan’s youth.

The two ministers also explored ways to bolster economic and trade relations, particularly through the use of the Chabahar port. This strategic port, which connects India, Iran, and Afghanistan, is expected to facilitate smoother trade routes, including for the transport of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.

In their discussions, the Afghan side reiterated its understanding of India's security concerns, acknowledging the importance of regional stability.

Both sides agreed to maintain regular communication and continue engagement at multiple levels to further deepen bilateral relations.

According to the statement, this high-level meeting underscores India's ongoing commitment to the people of Afghanistan, even amid challenging political and security circumstances, and highlights the continued importance of regional cooperation in South Asia.

The Political Deputy Prime Minister, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, who on Wednesday met with Ali Reza Bigdeli, Iran’s new ambassador to Kabul, said the issue of water rights between the two countries has been resolved through mutual understanding and irresponsible statements on this matter could negatively affect the relations between Kabul and Tehran, the deputy PM’s office said in a statement.

At the meeting, Kabir mentioned that there are no factors in Afghanistan that could damage the relations between Iran and the Islamic Emirate.

"Currently, the cultivation and trafficking of drugs in Afghanistan have decreased, and the issue of water rights between Afghanistan and Iran has been resolved through understanding,” said Kabir.

Based on the statement, the Iranian Ambassador has invited Abdul Kabir to visit Tehran.

Meanwhile, Bigdeli emphasized the development of relations and the increase of economic cooperation between the two countries, stating that the activation of the Chabahar Port and its inauguration are priorities.

Kabir added that the IEA is eager to develop economic and political cooperation with Iran.

He said: "The Islamic Emirate does not allow its relations with other countries to be affected by external factors, but Afghanistan is striving to achieve regional stability and economic power."

Kabir also stated that necessary facilities should be provided for Afghan migrants, and they should be treated with compassion. He called for the cessation of forced deportations of Afghan refugees.

The Biden administration is negotiating with Afghanistan to exchange Americans detained in the country for at least one high-profile prisoner held in Guantanamo Bay with alleged ties to former al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.

Representatives of the White House and the U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the report.

Representatives for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) also did not immediately respond, WSJ reported.

Outgoing US President Joe Biden's administration is seeking the return of three Americans arrested in 2022 - Ryan Corbett, George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi - in exchange for Muhammad Rahim al-Afghani, the WSJ reported.

A source familiar with the matter confirmed to Reuters that the Biden administration has been negotiating with the IEA since at least July last year on a US proposal to exchange Corbett, Glezmann and Habibi for Rahim.

The IEA, who deny holding Habibi, countered with an offer to exchange Glezmann and Corbett for Rahim and two others, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

In August last year, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, said that they will release the prisoners in exchange for Afghans held by the United States.

“Two Americans who were found guilty in Afghanistan for violating Afghan laws are in prison. They are here. But if they want the release of the prisoners, we also have our own Afghans who are in American prisons and should be released.

“We don't have anyone named Habibi in our prisons. But investigation is ongoing to find out what happened in this regard,” Mujahid said.

A spokesperson for the National Security Council said they could not confirm the WSJ story, but added that the administration was "working around the clock" to secure the release of the three Americans.

Rahim's lawyer, James Connell, told Reuters that neither the Biden administration nor the IEA had informed him or Rahim of the negotiations.