Afghanistan’s United Nations-approved foreign minister arrived in India on the previous day, marking the first official visit by a senior Taliban leader since their resurgence in 2021 following the exit of US-led forces. Amir Khan Muttaqi’s journey, facilitated by a travel waiver from the UN Security Council, is poised to attract significant attention from India’s historical adversary, Pakistan, as New Delhi strengthens its interactions with the Taliban administration.
“We are anticipating fruitful discussions with him regarding bilateral ties and regional matters,” stated Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesperson for the Indian foreign ministry, extending a cordial reception to Muttaqi. Having met with India’s chief career diplomat Vikram Misri in Dubai earlier this year, Muttaqi is scheduled to engage in discussions with Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
Although the specific topics have not been disclosed by either party, experts suggest that trade and security are likely focal points of the dialogue. However, formal recognition of the Taliban government by India is currently improbable.
“New Delhi is keen on solidifying its presence in Kabul… and avoiding being overshadowed by its rivals, China and Pakistan,” commented Praveen Donthi, an analyst from the International Crisis Group, in remarks to AFP.