Amir Khan Muttaqi’s journey was enabled after a UN panel temporarily lifted restrictions on his travel, allowing him to participate in diplomatic activities abroad.
Published On 9 Oct 2025
Amir Khan Muttaqi, Afghanistan’s foreign minister sanctioned by the United Nations, has arrived in India, marking the first visit by a senior Taliban official since their takeover in 2021, following the exit of US-led forces and the collapse of Kabul’s previous government.
This diplomatic trip, which took place on Thursday, was authorized after the UN Security Council granted a temporary exemption from travel restrictions. The visit is anticipated to draw significant attention from Pakistan, a regional rival of India, as New Delhi intensifies its diplomatic interactions with the Taliban regime.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal extended a cordial welcome to Muttaqi, expressing eagerness for constructive dialogue on bilateral ties and regional matters.
Previously, Muttaqi had met India’s foreign secretary Vikram Misri in Dubai earlier this year. During this visit, he is scheduled to engage in discussions with India’s External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
While the official agenda remains undisclosed, it is expected that trade and security issues will dominate the talks, despite India’s current stance of not formally recognizing the Taliban government.
Expanding Regional Diplomacy
This india-africa-cooperation-on-ghana-visit/” title=”Modi pushes further …-Africa cooperation on Ghana …”>visit underscores the Taliban’s ongoing strategy to strengthen ties with neighboring countries, aiming to foster economic cooperation and seek eventual diplomatic acceptance.
Muttaqi’s trip follows his recent meetings in Moscow, where Russia remains the sole nation to have officially acknowledged the Taliban administration.
India has historically been home to a large Afghan diaspora, many of whom sought refuge after the Taliban’s resurgence. Although Afghanistan’s embassy in New Delhi was closed in 2023, consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad continue to provide limited services.
India maintains a minimal diplomatic presence in Kabul, primarily focused on coordinating humanitarian assistance.
On the eve of his India visit, Muttaqi participated in a regional summit in Moscow, where Afghanistan’s neighbors-including India, Pakistan, Iran, China, and several Central Asian states-issued a joint declaration opposing the establishment of foreign military bases in the region.
This collective stance was widely interpreted as a rebuke to US President Donald Trump’s earlier ambitions to regain control over the Bagram airbase near Kabul, signaling a rare moment of regional unity.
