For the first time after Taliban came to power, Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Aamir Khan Muttaki has reached New Delhi on a visit to India. This visit is considered to be the highest level contact between India and Afghanistan so far. It also presents a bigger picture of the changing diplomatic equations after the fall of the Ashraf Ghani government four years ago. Muttaki had to undertake this journey earlier. But his visit was postponed due to travel restrictions imposed by the UNSC. However, the UNSC Special Committee gave him temporary exemption on 30 September. Under which he will be able to stay in India from 9 to 16 October. Let us tell you that foreign travel restrictions are applicable on most of the Taliban leaders.
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Muttaki’s travel agenda
This is the first official contact program of its kind since the Taliban returned to power. The visit coincides with the arrival of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Mumbai for trade talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Although no meeting has been confirmed between Muttaki and Prime Minister Modi, Indian officials are providing full diplomatic protocol to the visiting foreign minister. According to people familiar with the matter, during his six-day stay, Muttaki met Foreign Minister S. Will have detailed discussions with Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. His program also includes a visit to Darul Uloom Deoband Madrasa and Taj Mahal in Deoband. Apart from this, he is also expected to meet representatives of business circles and Afghan community based in India. Muttaki was initially scheduled to visit New Delhi last month, but the visit was postponed due to UN Security Council sanctions.
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India’s growing engagement with Afghanistan
Although India does not officially recognize the Taliban-led government, Muttaki’s visit reflects a pragmatic shift in New Delhi’s approach towards Afghanistan. Earlier this year, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar had said that he had a good conversation with Muttaki and appreciated him for condemning the April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. Muttaqi has been under UN sanctions since 2001, including a travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo. However, the UN Taliban Sanctions Committee, which was chaired this year by Pakistan and with Russia and Guyana as vice-chairs, specifically provided temporary travel exemptions to India to facilitate this visit.