The acting head of Afghanistan’s embassy in Tehran, Fazl Mohammad Haqqani, held talks with India’s Ambassador to Tehran, Shri Rudra Gaurav Shresth, to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation, the Afghan embassy said in a statement.

The embassy in Tehran stated that both sides emphasized enhancing bilateral collaboration between Afghanistan and India during the meeting.

The discussions also addressed expanding trade cooperation through the Chabahar Port, focusing on exports and imports, the statement read.

Since its return to power in Afghanistan, the Islamic Emirate has sought to strengthen diplomatic relations with India and other countries around the world.

Recent meetings between officials from both nations have reportedly improved Afghanistan-India relations, alongside a notable increase in bilateral trade.

IEA’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said: “The relations between the two countries are in good standing. Afghanistan and India share historical ties, and mutual interests necessitate stronger relations. The Islamic Emirate has made every effort in this regard.”

“India remains in contact with us. Once practical steps are taken, they will be announced through official channels,” Mujahid added.

Meanwhile, Indian media outlets have reported that New Delhi is likely to allow the IEA to appoint a head for Afghanistan’s embassy in India, but without formal diplomatic recognition. These reports clarified that the Afghan embassy in New Delhi will continue to operate officially

under the name of the “Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,” maintaining its current diplomatic representation.

India’s move follows a recent meeting between a senior official from India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, in the United Arab Emirates.

Iran’s deputy interior minister Ali-Akbar Pour-Jamshidian praised Afghanistan for banning the cultivation, and buying and selling of drugs in the country but asked Kabul to be more decisive in the fight against narcotics.

The official made the remarks in a meeting with an Afghan delegation, headed by Mullah Abdul Haq Akhund Hamkar, the Afghan deputy interior minister, in Tehran on Monday.

Pour-Jamshidian highlighted that Iran has long had close relations with Afghanistan and that Tehran aims to foster cooperation and interactions between the two countries to resolve issues.

He also discussed the issue of water rights, and said that since the two sides are willing to address challenges, “we can solve this problem, which can contribute to enhancing collaborations in security and economy sectors”, IRNA reported.

He also proposed the expansion of cooperation between Iranian and Afghan anti-narcotics police, and the anti narcotics force (ANF) of Pakistan, to combat drug trafficking more effectively.

“Today, the war on drug trafficking is a scientific task. Traditional methods are not working anymore. Fortunately, the Iranian Anti-Narcotics police is equipped with the most up-to-date equipment and training.

“The country can share its experiences and expertise with Afghanistan,” he added.

Hamkar, for his part, said that over the past 45 years, there has been no limitation on poppy cultivation and buying and selling narcotics, but it has changed now.

He said the two countries can enhance cooperation by replacing poppy cultivation.

The Islamic Emirate has dismissed US President Donald Trump’s claim that Bagram Air Base is being run by the Chinese.

Speaking to Afghanistan’s RTA media outlet, Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid dismissed Trump’s remarks as “emotional”, and said US officials should “refrain” from making “statements based on unsubstantiated information”.

He also said that Bagram was controlled by the Islamic Emirate and “not China”.

“Chinese troops are not present here nor do we have any such pact with any country,” he said.

“We request that Trump’s team explain to him and correct his information about Afghanistan.”

Mujahid’s remarks come after recent statements by Trump that Bagram is controlled by China and that Washington was planning to return to the military base, which is about 40 km north of Kabul.

Trump implied Washington should move to reclaim disused and demilitarised military equipment that was not brought home with departing troops during the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

“I’m the one who got our military presence to under 5,000 but we were going to keep Bagram,” Trump said, “not because of Afghanistan but because of China, because the air base is exactly one hour from where China makes its nuclear missiles. So, we were going to keep Bagram.”

“Bagram air base is one of the biggest air bases in the world. It has one of the biggest and most powerful runways. And we gave it up,” Trump said, “and you know who is occupying it at the moment? China. Because Biden gave it up. So, we are going to keep that.”

Trump first claimed that Bagram was under China’s control during his election campaign but he has since repeated the claim since taking office.

China has however also denied claims that it was in control of the air base.