Afghanistan’s Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock has drawn sharp reactions online after claiming Afghanistan and India share the same DNA, with users linking the remark to Taliban’s growing ties with New Delhi.
Speaking at an India-Afghanistan trade and industry interaction in New Delhi on Friday, Afghanistan’s Minister Mawlawi Attaullah Omari said that during his first visit to India he felt as though he was among his own people.
“From the very first day I landed in India, I received a warm welcome from the Indian government, the Minister of External Affairs, and everyone I met. It feels as if I am among my own people. It feels like our own country… our DNA is one,” he said.
The remarks come as contacts between India and the Taliban government continue to grow, even though New Delhi has not formally recognised the Taliban administration. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban government of failing to act against the outlawed Tehreek-e- Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and of allowing India backed elements to operate from Afghan soil.
The comment drew a wave of reactions online, many questioning the nature of India’s ties with the Taliban government.
One user asked directly, “Has India officially recognized the Taliban?”
Others framed the outreach as part of a pattern in India’s foreign relations, with one commenting, “Don’t be silly they want to make whole world their own people.”
Some accused the Taliban of shifting allegiance for convenience, with one user writing, “The owner of the Afghan dog is where he gets the bone. This time Afghanistan not only changed owner but also shared its DNA with India.”
Another linked the remark to Pakistan’s long standing allegations against the Taliban government, stating, “Taliban did 911. The biggest supporter of Taliban is India.”
One reaction cast the minister’s comment as an admission tied to identity, calling it “The traitor-terrorist’s approach of identifying himself as a non-Muslim.”
A separate user pushed back against generalising the Taliban with ordinary Afghans, writing, “Bro, no. You guys stripped women of every basic right. Afghanis (not taliban) are our friends and shall be.” Another user said: “He is right. All terrorists have one DNA.”
One user exclaimed that: “Lol, what a life Indians have, hugging UN-designated terrorists just so that they can stick it to Pakistan 🤣 what a next-level obsession, brother.”
