NEW DELHI (Reuters): In a landmark diplomatic move, Afghanistan’s Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived in India on Thursday for a six-day visit aimed at fostering economic and political engagement—the first such trip by a Taliban leader since the group took power in 2021.
Muttaqi is scheduled to meet Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and other senior officials to discuss a broad range of issues, including trade, regional cooperation, and bilateral relations. “We look forward to engaging discussions with him on bilateral relations and regional issues,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a post on X.
The visit underscores the Taliban’s ongoing push to build ties with regional powers and seek diplomatic recognition. Media reports suggest Muttaqi will also meet Indian business leaders, visit the iconic Taj Mahal, and tour a historic Islamic seminary.
His arrival in New Delhi follows talks in Moscow with diplomats from Afghanistan’s neighboring countries, where regional consensus appeared to form against U.S. President Donald Trump’s stated interest in reclaiming Bagram Air Base near Kabul.
Russia remains the only country to formally recognize the Taliban administration, despite UN sanctions on its members—including Muttaqi, who received a temporary exemption to travel to India.
India and Afghanistan have historically shared warm relations, though New Delhi does not officially recognize the Taliban government. Following the U.S. withdrawal in 2021, India closed its embassy in Kabul but reopened a limited diplomatic mission a year later to facilitate trade, medical assistance, and humanitarian aid. Senior Indian officials have since engaged in dialogue with Taliban representatives.
Muttaqi’s visit marks a significant moment in the evolving regional dynamics surrounding Afghanistan, as the Taliban seeks to reposition itself on the global stage.
