India set to receive first Afghan Taliban minister | The Express Tribune
Key Takeaways
- The UN Security Council Committee temporarily lifted the travel ban on Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
- The exemption would allow Muttaqi to visit India between October 9 and 16, marking a significant diplomatic engagement.
- Discussions are anticipated to cover bilateral cooperation, trade, health, and consular services.
- The visit is seen as crucial for the Taliban government to build regional political and economic ties and seek recognition.
- India currently maintains a technical mission in Kabul for coordinating humanitarian assistance, having closed its embassy in 2021.
The UN Security Council Committee has temporarily lifted a travel ban on the Afghan Taliban foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, which would permit him to travel to India between October 9 and 16, according to India's foreign ministry. If confirmed, this visit would be highly significant as it would be the first trip to India by a senior leader of the Taliban-run Afghan administration since they seized power in 2021. Historically, Delhi and Kabul enjoyed close relations before the Taliban returned to power, and India has recently provided humanitarian support following an earthquake. Discussions during the potential trip are slated to cover bilateral cooperation, trade, dry fruit exports, health sector facilities, and consular services. An Afghan political analyst noted the visit's significance for the Taliban government, which urgently needs to establish regional political and economic ties to gain broader recognition, as only Russia currently recognizes their administration.
