India’s relationship with the Taliban, once cautious and limited, has shifted dramatically in recent years, driven largely by its humanitarian outreach to the Afghan people. That engagement is set to deepen with the expected visit of Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to New Delhi on October 9–10. If confirmed, this will be the first visit to India by a senior Taliban leader since the group regained control of Kabul in 2021.
Muttaqi is scheduled to meet external affairs minister S Jaishankar on the second day of his trip. New Delhi has been working since August to arrange the visit, and because Muttaqi is under a UN travel ban, India sought a waiver from the Security Council, which has now been approved.
The visit marks a significant step in India’s evolving approach toward the Taliban. Though it does not formally recognize the regime, India has steadily increased its interactions over the past year. These include a January meeting in Dubai between Muttaqi and India’s foreign secretary Vikram Misri, followed by a direct phone conversation between Jaishankar and Muttaqi in May.
Taliban political office chief Suhail Shaheen has openly supported such high-level contacts, arguing they are essential for strengthening ties. He said Muttaqi’s trip could open the door to wider cooperation in different sectors.
During the Dubai meeting, Misri signaled India’s willingness to expand beyond humanitarian aid and consider taking part in development projects in Afghanistan.
