Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived in New Delhi last night, marking the first visit to India by a Taliban leader since the group took control of Kabul in 2021 after the fall of the Ashraf Ghani government. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal extended a warm welcome to Muttaqi upon his arrival in New Delhi.
This visit underscores the Taliban’s efforts to enhance relations with regional powers like India in a bid to break free from international isolation and secure diplomatic recognition. To date, Russia is the sole country that has officially acknowledged the Taliban administration.
During his six-day visit, Muttaqi is set to engage in extensive discussions with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at Hyderabad House and meet with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, as confirmed by official sources. The Taliban delegation is expected to address concerns such as facilitating visa procedures for Afghan students, business individuals, and patients seeking medical care in India.
Following his official commitments, Muttaqi is scheduled to visit Darul Uloom Deoband in Uttar Pradesh on October 11, followed by a trip to the Taj Mahal on the subsequent day.