India’s foreign ministry said on Thursday it had dispatched a team of foreign ministry officials to the Afghan capital Kabul for talks with senior members of the ruling Taliban, the first such meeting since the chaotic US withdrawal last year.

Poverty and hunger have risen sharply in the conflict-torn country since Islamist militants came to power after the US withdrawal last year.

“The Indian team will meet with senior members of the Taliban to discuss India’s humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. It added that the officials would oversee the delivery of humanitarian aid and visit areas targeted by India-backed programmes or projects.

It said India had donated about 20,000 tonnes of wheat, 13 tonnes of medicines, 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine and winter clothing, and more medicines and food.

Last August, India pulled its officials out of Afghanistan and closed its embassy, even as New Delhi is keen to maintain ties with the country, whose long-time foe Pakistan has considerable influence. Last month, the ministry said it had no information on when the embassy would reopen.