Foreign Minister of the Taliban-led Afghanistan government, Amir Khan Muttaqi is visiting India probably on October 9, 2025. This is the maiden high-level and ministerial level diplomatic visit witnessed between New Delhi and Kabul, since the take-over of the country’s administration by the Taliban in 2021 with the abrupt exit of the United States. The visit is deemed as a major recalibration in the India-Afghanistan bilateral relations and also a swift boost in reimaging the regional security architecture.
Apparently, the United Nations Security Council(UNSC) has given exemption to the Foreign Minister of Afghanistan to travel to New Delhi between October 9 to 16. “All of you would have seen the exemption that has been granted by the UN Security Council committee for the travel of Afghanistan Foreign Minister to New Delhi from 9th to 16th of October”, said, Randhir Jaiswal, Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs.
#WATCH | Delhi | On Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi's visit to India, MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "All of you would have seen the exemption that has been granted by the UN Security Council Committee for the travel of Afghanistan’s Foreign… pic.twitter.com/EOGdPD4hfO
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2025
The special exemption by the UNSC and the short revoking of travel ban on the Taliban leaders, highlight the geopolitical importance of Afghanistan in the rapidly changing world order, especially for the neighbouring countries like India. Afghanistan is indeed vital for India’s strategic interests in terms of trade, connectivity and bolstering regional security.
During the media briefing MEA Spokesperson also highlighted the series of swift bilateral engagements occurring between New Delhi and Kabul, in the direction of restoring ties. “We have been having a conversation with the interim government in Afghanistan. You would have seen the telecon that had taken place some time back between the External Affairs Minister and Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. We also had a conversation between the Joint Secretary in charge and his counterparts on the Afghan side. Recently, when the earthquake happened, the same day, we were able to transport relief material to Kunar province and subsequently, we sent more relief material via Chabahar. We will keep you updated with the developments that will happen regarding the visit”, said MEA statement.
#WATCH | Delhi | MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "We have been having a conversation with the interim government in Afghanistan. You would have seen the telecon that had taken place some time back between the External Affairs Minister and Foreign Minister Amir… pic.twitter.com/UQD6jjBtAZ
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2025
Since January 2025, Foreign Minister Vikram Misri and other senior officials have held detailed discussions with their counterparts in Afghanistan. They have met in neutral venues like Dubai. However, this first-ever visit to India, marks a step-ahead in restoring relations. Irrespective of the government and nature of power in Kabul, India has been consistent in rendering humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, since 2021 by sending nearly 50,000 tons of wheat, more than 330 tons of medicines and vaccines, 40,000 litres of pesticides.
Infact, the Taliban government had strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, marking a major thrust to the bilateral relations. Infact EAM Jaishankar during his telephonic conversation with his Afghanistan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi on May 15, soon after the Operation Sindoor, appreciated the Taliban government’s condemnation of the terror attack. He described it as a testimony to the “India’s traditional friendship with the Afghan people”.
Every bilateral talk and exchange between New Delhi and Kabul is redrawing the prospects of the bilateral relations and the regional development and security prospects at large. On the other hand, this is indeed a setback to Pakistan, which had earlier celebrated the Taliban rule in Afghanistan and had considered it as an opportunity to illicitly assert Islamabad’s hegemony in the region. However, lately, the rift between Islamabad and Kabul is deepening, with the latter seeking to diversify its foreign policy priorities and India is indeed a key stakeholder in the strategic calculations of Kabul.
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