With Taliban minister's visit, a new vista opens

Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi landed in New Delhi on Thursday.

- Ashwin Ahmad

It was the first official visit for Muttaqi, who has been placed on a travel ban by the UNSC Taliban Sanctions Committee since January 25, 2001, and the first for a Taliban leader ever since the group took power in 2021.

The ban was relaxed by the UN for one week on September 30, allowing him to visit New Delhi from October 9 to 16.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jasiwal welcomed Muttaqi on X: “We look forward to engaging discussions with him on bilateral relations and regional issues.”

While nothing has been publicly revealed about his agenda, MEA sources confirm Muttaqi will hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval. He is scheduled to visit the Darul Uloom Deoband seminary and the Taj Mahal, apart from meeting business groups and members of the Afghan community.