India-Taliban ties signal pragmatic reset as FM Muttaqi arrives for talks

AFGHANISTAN'S Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi's visit to India from October 9 marks a carefully calibrated shift in New Delhi's approach to the Taliban regime in Kabul.

- JAYANTH JACOB @ New Delhi

Though India has yet to formally recognise the Taliban government, the visit signals a pragmatic thaw that can lead to a "cautious reset" in ties.

Muttaqi's meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and possibly National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is aimed at strengthening the official channels of communication on a host of issues. Muttaqi will also undergo a medical check-up during his time in India.

The very fact of the visit constitutes a "major diplomatic outcome." Indian sources said this is an opportunity to re-engage on terms defined by India's core interests regional stability, counter-terrorism cooperation, and humanitarian, development assistance and people to people ties.