The UN Security Council Committee temporarily exempted Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi from travel restrictions to permit a visit to India between Oct. 9 and Oct. 16. India's foreign ministry confirmed on Friday that this would mark the first trip by a senior Taliban official since the group assumed control in 2021. Muttaqi remains subject to UN sanctions that typically prohibit travel, but diplomatic exemptions occasionally apply.
Afghan and Indian media reported that Muttaqi planned to stop in Russia before arriving in New Delhi. Discussions in Moscow would involve representatives from Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, India, and Central Asian nations addressing Afghanistan's situation. The Taliban's Foreign Ministry stated that bilateral talks would address cooperation, trade, health sector assistance, and consular matters.
Afghan analyst Hekmatullah Hekmat emphasized the strategic importance of regional engagement for the Taliban administration. Only Russia has formally recognized the Taliban government. India shuttered its embassy in Kabul in 2021 but reopened a technical mission the following year to manage humanitarian aid.
Afghan and Indian media reported that Muttaqi planned to stop in Russia before arriving in New Delhi. Discussions in Moscow would involve representatives from Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, India, and Central Asian nations addressing Afghanistan's situation. The Taliban's Foreign Ministry stated that bilateral talks would address cooperation, trade, health sector assistance, and consular matters.
Afghan analyst Hekmatullah Hekmat emphasized the strategic importance of regional engagement for the Taliban administration. Only Russia has formally recognized the Taliban government. India shuttered its embassy in Kabul in 2021 but reopened a technical mission the following year to manage humanitarian aid.
