New Delhi, Oct 3: In a diplomatic breakthrough, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will visit New Delhi from October 9 to 16, representing the first high-level engagement between India and Afghanistan’s Taliban government since August 2021.
The week-long visit comes after the UN Security Council issued a special travel exemption for Muttaqi, who faces international travel restrictions. The waiver reflects growing recognition of the need for diplomatic engagement with Kabul’s current administration.
Indian diplomats have been laying groundwork for this meeting since January through several rounds of talks with Taliban officials. These preparatory discussions have centered on humanitarian aid, with particular emphasis on healthcare infrastructure and support for Afghan refugees.
The visit is poised to explore cooperation across several critical domains, including counterterrorism coordination and broader regional security concerns. India’s decision to host Muttaqi represents a pragmatic shift in policy, acknowledging the reality of Taliban governance while pursuing strategic interests in its neighboring country.
Despite the Taliban government’s lack of formal international recognition, New Delhi appears willing to engage with Afghanistan’s de facto leadership to address pressing regional challenges and maintain its traditional ties with the Afghan people.
Both sides are expected to identify concrete areas for collaboration during the visit, with the overarching aim of establishing a functional working relationship that serves mutual interests and contributes to stability in South Asia.
