New Delhi, Aug. 18 -- India's engagement with Afghanistan continues to be guided by humanitarian assistance, development cooperation, and long-standing ties with the Afghan people, the Ministry of External Affairs affirmed on Tuesday, defending the official Indian presence at an Afghan "Victory Day" event hosted at the embassy in New Delhi.

Addressing questions regarding the attendance of Joint Secretary (PAI) Anand Prakash at the function during a press briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed India's representation on behalf of the central government.

"Afghanistan organised its Victory Day here yesterday, in which our Joint Secretary, who looks after Afghanistan, as you mentioned, his presence was there from our side, on b...