The Taliban Foreign Minister India visit marks the first trip by a senior Afghan leader since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived in New Delhi after the United Nations temporarily lifted his travel ban allowing diplomatic talks with Indian officials on trade and regional security.
Afghanistan’s foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi reached India on Thursday in a landmark visit made possible through a UN travel waiver. This is the first time a high ranking Taliban leader has travelled to India since the fall of Kabul in 2021. Indian officials said discussions will focus on bilateral ties humanitarian cooperation and regional stability.
Muttaqi is expected to meet India’s external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar during his stay. The visit follows an earlier meeting with Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri in Dubai in January. While New Delhi has not officially recognized the Taliban government it has maintained limited contact through humanitarian missions in Kabul.
The trip also reflects Taliban efforts to gain regional legitimacy after securing recognition from Russia. India continues to host a large Afghan diaspora and provides aid through its consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad. The visit comes days after a regional meeting in Moscow where India Pakistan Iran and China jointly opposed foreign military bases in Afghanistan.
