Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has arrived in New Delhi for an official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and discussing regional issues.
“We look forward to engaging discussions with him on bilateral relations and regional issues,” Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.
Muttaqi, who is scheduled to remain in India until October 16, is expected to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
The visit had been planned a few weeks ago but was delayed as Muttaqi initially did not receive a travel exemption from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Last week, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that the UNSC Committee had granted the exemption, enabling Muttaqi’s travel to India.
The meeting comes at a time when new alliances seem to be forming in the region, largely pushing India into isolation since after New Delhi’s crushing defeat against Islamabad in May’s military clashes.
Muttaqi is also expected to speak with Indian business representatives, visit the ancient monument to love, the Taj Mahal, and a historic Islamic seminary, media said.
He arrives in New Delhi after talks in Moscow with diplomats from Afghanistan’s neighbours, who appeared to unite against United States (US) President Donald Trump’s stated aim of taking over the Bagram military base near Kabul, the capital.
Russia is the only country to have yet recognised the Taliban administration, whose members are under UN sanctions including a travel ban and asset freeze, including Muttaqi.
Historically, India and Afghanistan have had friendly ties but New Delhi does not recognise the Taliban and shut its embassy in Kabul after the US withdrawal from the war-shattered country in 2021.
New Delhi opened a small mission a year later to ease the way for trade, medical support and humanitarian aid, while its senior officials have held two-way talks with Taliban leaders.