Afghan FM Muttaqi in India for week-long visit to boost bilateral, regional dialogue

October 9, 2025

New Delhi: Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for an official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and discussing regional matters.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), welcoming him on X, said: “We look forward to engaging discussions with him on bilateral relations and regional issues.”
Muttaqi will remain in India until October 16.

High-Level Meetings Planned

During the visit, the Afghan minister is expected to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

UN Travel Ban Exemption

Muttaqi’s earlier planned visit was delayed after the UN Security Council (UNSC) denied him a travel ban exemption. However, last week, the UNSC Committee cleared his travel to India.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed: “We shall keep you updated in this regard.”

India’s Engagement with Taliban

Responding to questions on recognition of the Taliban regime, Jaiswal said India has been in regular communication with the interim Afghan government, including calls between Jaishankar and Muttaqi, as well as Joint Secretary-level talks.

Humanitarian assistance and infrastructure projects are expected to be central to discussions. India has been actively extending support, including dispatching relief material to Kunar province on the day of the recent earthquake and further aid via Chabahar port.

Recent Engagements

The visit follows a series of diplomatic interactions, including Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s meeting with Muttaqi in January and the recent visit of Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister of Medicine and Food, Hamdullah Zahid, who attended a pharma and healthcare exhibition in India last month.