Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived in New Delhi on Thursday, October 9, for a six-day official visit aimed at strengthening engagement between India and Afghanistan and discussing regional developments of mutual concern. The Taliban minister’s trip marks another step in the series of diplomatic contacts between New Delhi and Kabul since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed Muttaqi’s arrival, noting that the visit would provide an opportunity for detailed discussions on bilateral ties and regional stability. The Afghan minister is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval during his stay, which continues until October 16.
Muttaqi’s visit had been delayed earlier due to pending clearance for travel from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The exemption was granted last week by the UNSC Committee, allowing the Afghan foreign minister to undertake the trip to India. The visit comes as India continues its engagement with Afghanistan’s interim administration without formally recognising the Taliban government.
Over the past year, India and Afghanistan have maintained limited but steady diplomatic interactions. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Muttaqi in January, and several Afghan officials, including Deputy Minister of Medicine and Food Hamdullah Zahid, have visited New Delhi for international events. India has also continued to extend humanitarian assistance, including dispatching relief material to Afghanistan following recent natural disasters.
Muttaqi’s agenda in New Delhi is expected to include discussions on trade, visa facilitation, regional security, and humanitarian cooperation. Infrastructure projects and India’s development assistance to Afghanistan are also likely to feature in the talks.
Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, a senior Taliban leader, has been one of the most prominent faces of the regime’s diplomatic outreach since 2021.
Born on March 7, 1970, in Helmand province, he spent his early years in Pakistan, where he studied in schools for Afghan refugees. He took part in the resistance against the communist regime in his youth and later held several key posts during the Taliban’s first rule from 1996 to 2001, including acting Minister of Information and Culture and official spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate.
In the years leading up to the Taliban’s return to power, Muttaqi was part of the movement’s Political Office in Doha and a member of its negotiation team that engaged in talks with international stakeholders. Over time, he has represented the Taliban in diplomatic dialogues in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia and other countries.
His current visit to India underlines Kabul’s attempt to expand its regional contacts at a time when Afghanistan seeks economic stability and political engagement with neighbouring nations.
