Why Taliban minister's India visit is groundbreaking

Pragmatism and realpolitik at work in New Delhi and Kabul

- BYS VENKAT NARAYAN

Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is now in India for a week of talks. This visit, his first, had been previously unimaginable.

It is the Taliban's highest-level visit to the country since seizing power in 2021, and Muttaqi is discussing diplomatic, trade and economic ties with India's External Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and other officials.

The visit is being seen as a ramping up of India's Afghan policy. Arch-rival Pakistan, which historically had close ties with the Taliban, will be watching closely.

Muttaqi was granted a temporary exemption from UN sanctions allowing him to travel. He flew into Delhi from Russia, the only country so far to fully recognise the Taliban government.

The astonishing fact is that neither Islamabad, Delhi nor the Taliban could have anticipated that, so soon after taking power, the ‘Taliban's relations with Pakistan would deteriorate to such a degree, while India would establish a multilateral relationship with the new government in Kabul.

New Delhi used to support the Westernbacked Afghan government, which the Taliban drove from power, and this visit illustrates pragmatism and realpolitik on both sides, indicating they are serious about upgrading diplomatic, political and trade links.

Muttaqi is accompanied by Afghan trade and foreign ministry officials. They held talks with India's Jaishankar in Delhi on Friday. The Afghan delegation will also meet representatives of the Indian business community.

“We look forward to engaging discussions with him on bilateral relations and regional issues," a spokesperson from India's foreign ministry said.

Meanwhile, a Taliban spokesman told the BBC that Muttaqi would meet India's foreign minister and other officials "to discuss various political, economic, and trade [issues], and improving of ties of Afghanistan and the region."