Afghanistan&rsquo;s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a week-long visit, marking the first ministerial-level trip from the Taliban-led government to India since it took control of Kabul in August 2021.
Muttaqi&rsquo;s visit was made possible after the United Nations Security Council&rsquo;s Taliban Sanctions Committee granted a temporary exemption from his travel ban on September 30.
He was welcomed at the airport by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, who said India looks forward to constructive discussions on bilateral relations and regional stability.
Invited by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Muttaqi will stay in India until October 16 and hold key meetings with Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. His itinerary includes visits to Darul Uloom Deoband, Taj Mahal, and interactions with Indian business leaders and the Afghan diaspora community.
Sources said this engagement represents a pragmatic shift in India&rsquo;s Afghanistan policy, as New Delhi has not yet formally recognised the Taliban government.
The Afghan minister&rsquo;s earlier visit, scheduled for September, was postponed due to UN restrictions. Muttaqi, under sanctions since 2001, faced travel bans, asset freezes, and an arms embargo, but the UN committee chaired by Pakistan granted him a one-time travel clearance for this diplomatic outreach.
The visit coincides with the arrival of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Mumbai for trade discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding to a significant week of diplomatic activity in India.

Taliban’s acting foreign minister arrives in India after UN lifts travel ban for one week

Afghan FM Muttaqi Begins First India Visit

Taliban’s acting foreign minister arrives in India after UN lifts travel ban for one week

October 9, 2025 | 11:56 IST