Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with his Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, in Moscow on Thursday to discuss regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan.

At a joint press conference after the talks, Lavrov said both sides agreed that Afghanistan must be “practically engaged” in regional processes.

Russia has become the first country to formally recognise the Taliban administration, a move Moscow says is intended to create a framework for expanding security and economic cooperation.

India, meanwhile, has gradually built official contacts with the Taliban since their return to power in 2021. In November 2024, India received a Taliban representative and opened new diplomatic channels to broaden relations. In January 2025, senior Indian official Vikram Misri met Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai, the first high-level meeting between New Delhi and the group.

Both Moscow and New Delhi have expressed interest in expanding their regional influence through closer engagement with Afghanistan, though Western governments have so far withheld recognition of the Taliban government.