The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Committee has temporarily lifted a travel ban on Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, potentially paving the way for his first visit to India between October 9 and 16, according to India’s foreign ministry.
If confirmed, this would mark the first high-level Taliban visit to India since the group took control of Afghanistan in 2021 following the withdrawal of US forces after two decades.
Muttaqi is currently under UN sanctions, including a travel ban and asset freeze. However, such restrictions can be temporarily waived for diplomatic engagement.
India’s foreign ministry spokesperson said that New Delhi has been in communication with the Afghan authorities, and noted India’s humanitarian assistance after the August 31 earthquake in Afghanistan. While the ministry did not explicitly confirm the visit, it acknowledged ongoing engagement.
Taliban Eyes Regional Diplomacy, Trade Ties with India
According to Zia Ahmad Takal, deputy spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban’s foreign ministry, the discussions in New Delhi would focus on bilateral cooperation, trade, dry fruit exports, health sector support, consular services, and port access. However, he did not confirm specific dates for the trip.
Reports from Indian and Afghan media suggest that Muttaqi is scheduled to visit Russia first, where he is expected to meet with representatives from Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, India, and Central Asian nations to discuss Afghanistan’s evolving situation.
Political analyst Hekmatullah Hekmat described the visit as “highly significant” for the Taliban, stating that Afghanistan urgently needs to strengthen regional political and economic ties to gain broader recognition.
India shut down its Kabul embassy in 2021 but reopened a technical mission in 2022 to manage humanitarian support. Currently, Russia is the only country to formally recognise the Taliban government.
