Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, has been granted a temporary travel exemption by the United Nations Security Council to visit India next week, marking the first high-level contact between New Delhi and the Taliban administration since August 2021.
According to diplomatic sources, the waiver will allow Muttaqi to travel between October 9 and 16, with meetings planned with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and senior diplomats. Indian officials have described the engagement as limited and issue-specific, with discussions expected on humanitarian aid, trade, consular services, regional connectivity and cooperation on disaster relief.
The exemption was necessary as Muttaqi remains listed under the UN sanctions regime, which restricts overseas travel. Using this channel, India has been able to open formal dialogue without extending political recognition to the Taliban government.
While New Delhi has highlighted humanitarian and consular aspects, observers say India’s outreach reflects a desire to regain relevance in Kabul after losing influence in the aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal. Commentators add that India also seeks to counter Pakistan’s historical role in Afghan affairs, though the optics of hosting a Taliban leader still under sanctions may invite criticism internationally.
The visit comes at a sensitive time for the region. Pakistan–Afghanistan relations remain strained amid Islamabad’s repeated concerns over militant groups staging cross-border attacks into Pakistani territory from Afghan soil. Islamabad has urged Kabul to take concrete action against elements targeting Pakistan’s security forces and civilians, warning that continued inaction undermines bilateral trust and regional stability.
Despite these challenges, Pakistan has maintained that it seeks a stable and peaceful Afghanistan, stressing that the way forward lies in inclusive governance, responsible behaviour from Kabul, and regional cooperation, rather than selective bilateral engagements. Diplomats note that while Kabul is attempting to diversify its regional ties through outreach to India, Moscow and Beijing, its inability to curb terrorism across the border continues to strain relations with its closest neighbour.
For India, the talks may provide a cautious opening to re-establish face-to-face diplomacy, but analysts argue that without meaningful commitments from the Taliban on counter-terrorism and human rights, New Delhi’s engagement risks remaining more symbolic than substantive.
