The Taliban leadership has shot back sternly at Pakistan, and asserted Afghanistan's rights to political and trade ties with India. "This is our right," said Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, even as he rubbished Pakistan's allegations that New Delhi was supporting anti-Pakistan armed groups operating from Afghan soil. He also slammed Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his comments criticising Muttaqi's visit to Deoband, the Islamic seminary in Uttar Pradesh.

The growing Kabul-Delhi ties have unsettled Pakistan, which has tried to peddle disinformation to project the relationship in a negative light.

Speaking to politicians and analysts in Kabul, Muttaqi described Pakistan's accusations as inconsistent and politically motivated. He said Islamabad had r

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