**Mumbai:** Afghan Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is set to visit India next week, following the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) approval of a waiver allowing him to bypass international travel restrictions. This marks the first trip to New Delhi by a senior Taliban leader since the group took control of Kabul in August 2021.
### UNSC Allows Muttaqi’s India Visit
Officials confirmed that the UNSC’s 1988 sanctions committee approved an exemption on September 30, enabling Muttaqi to travel to India between October 9 and 16. During his visit, he is expected to meet with India’s external affairs minister, S. Jaishankar, on October 10.
Earlier attempts for Muttaqi to visit India in September were blocked due to objections reportedly raised by the United States and Pakistan. This visit is widely viewed as a cautious recalibration by India—aimed at strengthening working ties with the Taliban without officially recognizing its regime.
### India’s Strategic Engagement
New Delhi had re-established its diplomatic presence in Kabul in mid-2022 to protect regional interests and counterbalance China’s expanding influence in Afghanistan. The visit by Muttaqi reflects India’s ongoing strategy to engage with the Taliban pragmatically.
### Taliban Eyes Expanded Embassy Role in India
Taliban officials are anticipated to seek an expansion of their diplomatic representation at the Afghan embassy in Delhi, as well as consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad.
This visit comes against the backdrop of strained Taliban-Pakistan relations and recent criticism following a nationwide communications blackout imposed in Afghanistan.
### Diplomatic and Security Implications
For the Taliban, Amir Khan Muttaqi’s trip to New Delhi represents another effort to gain international legitimacy. For India, the visit provides a channel to secure Taliban commitments on counter-terrorism, especially after the group condemned the Pahalgam terror attack in April carried out by Pakistan-based proxies.
Before arriving in India, Muttaqi will make a stopover in Russia on October 6 as part of this diplomatic tour.
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https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/taliban-foreign-minister-amir-khan-muttaqi-to-visit-india-after-unsc-waiver-first-such-trip-since-kabul-takeover