Goa, Oct. 10 -- India on Friday delivered a firm signal to Pakistan over its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in a joint statement with Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, referred to Afghanistan as a "contiguous neighbour," highlighting India's strategic and developmental interest in the region.

India and Afghanistan share a narrow 106 km land corridor-the Wakhan Corridor-which connects Afghanistan to the part of Kashmir under Pakistani control. Jaishankar's remark was widely interpreted as a pointed reminder to Pakistan.

"As a contiguous neighbour, and a well-wisher of the Afghan people, India has a deep interest in your development and progress," Jaishankar said while ann...