Koch: Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived on a 6-day maiden trip after the Taliban seized power following the fall of the US backed government in Kabul, media reports said.
Muttaqi’s scheduled visit to New Delhi last month was canceled due a travel ban under UN Security Council (UNSC) sanctions.
Muttaqi will call on External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
“We look forward to engaging in discussions with him on bilateral relations and regional issues,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on social media.
Muttaqi will visit the Darul Uloom Deoband seminary and the Taj Mahal, reports said. The UNSC committee on September 30 approved a temporary exemption for Muttaqi to visit India. The trip is expected to add a new dimension to India’s relations with the Taliban set up in Kabul. It is the highest level of contact between New Delhi and Kabul since the Taliban came to power.
India has not yet recognised the Taliban set up and has been pitching for the formation of a truly inclusive government in Kabul.
New Delhi has also been insisting that Afghan soil must not be used for any terrorist activities against any country.
In January, the Taliban regime described India as an “important” regional and economic power.
A government backed by the US led forces has been in power since the 2001 September 11 attack on the US. The Western forces announced to quit Afghanistan in 2021 following which the Taliban took control in Kabul.
Photo: X
