Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is set to visit India from October 9 for five days, marking the first official engagement by a senior Taliban minister since 2021. The visit comes shortly after India formally acknowledged the Taliban as a member of a regional grouping at the Moscow Format consultations in Russia.
Background and Significance
Muttaqi, listed on the UN Security Council’s list of banned terrorists, received special permission from the UN Sanctions Committee to travel. During his visit, he will be accorded full protocol as a visiting foreign minister and meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at Hyderabad House on October 10. The agenda is expected to include talks with government officials, business groups, and Afghan nationals living in India.
Moscow Format Developments
At the recent Moscow Format consultations, attended by representatives from Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, and Central Asian countries, the Taliban delegation participated as a full member for the first time. A joint statement emphasized regional connectivity, economic cooperation, humanitarian aid, and counter-terrorism measures, while opposing military deployments in Afghanistan or neighboring states.
Perspectives and Cautions
Former diplomats describe inviting Muttaqi as a pragmatic step to safeguard India’s interests in Afghanistan while avoiding full recognition of the Taliban. Analysts predict gradual engagement could include humanitarian assistance, visas, scholarships, trade initiatives, and development projects, but stress the importance of aligning with UN consensus.
Some Afghan observers caution against viewing the visit purely through India-Pakistan rivalry, noting the Taliban’s intent to maintain ties with China, Pakistan, and Russia. The visit reflects India’s substantive engagement strategy, balancing security and regional stability considerations.
Next Steps
Muttaqi’s visit is expected to strengthen dialogue between India and the Taliban, allow Indian authorities to monitor developments in Afghanistan, and influence regional cooperation and humanitarian initiatives. While India moves closer to engagement, full diplomatic recognition is expected to remain measured and internationally coordinated.
