Who is Amir Khan Muttaqi? Spotlight on Taliban foreign minister as India upgrades Kabul mission to embassy

Amir Khan Muttaqi recently attended an international conference on Afghanistan in Russia, which included representatives from India, China, Pakistan, Iran, and Central Asian nations. His trip is widely seen as part of the Taliban administration's attempts to secure regional legitimacy and rebuild diplomatic engagement.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi on Friday - the first high-level bilateral meeting since the Taliban seized control of Kabul in 2021 following the U.S. troop withdrawal.

According to official remarks during the meeting, Jaishankar appreciated Muttaqi's invitation to Indian companies to explore mining opportunities in Afghanistan, adding that both nations share a "common interest in boosting trade and commerce." He also noted the resumption of additional flights between Kabul and New Delhi as a positive step in restoring connectivity.

The minister further emphasised the need for cooperation against terrorism, saying,

"We have a common commitment towards growth and prosperity. However, these are endangered by the shared threat of cross-border terrorism that both our nations face. We must coordinate efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We appreciate your sensitivity towards India's security concerns. Your solidarity with us in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack was noteworthy."

Muttaqi's visit comes after the UN Security Council (UNSC) granted him a temporary travel exemption. He recently attended an international conference on Afghanistan in Russia, which included representatives from India, China, Pakistan, Iran, and Central Asian nations. His trip is widely seen as part of the Taliban administration's attempts to secure regional legitimacy and rebuild diplomatic engagement.

On Thursday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed Muttaqi on X (formerly Twitter), saying India looked forward to "engaging discussions on bilateral relations and regional issues." The visit follows earlier contacts - Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Muttaqi in Dubai in January, and Jaishankar spoke to him over the phone in May 2025 after Operation Sindoor.

Who is Amir Khan Muttaqi?

Born in Helmand province in 1970, Amir Khan Muttaqi has been a long-time member of the Taliban. As reported by The Indian Express, he moved to Pakistan at the age of nine following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and studied in religious schools for Afghan refugees.

Muttaqi joined the Taliban movement in 1994, and after the group captured Kandahar, he was appointed Director General of the Kandahar radio station and became a member of the Taliban High Council. In 2000, he was made Minister of Education, serving until the U.S. invasion in 2001.

He later became part of the Taliban's negotiating team during talks with the United States in 2019 and, since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, has served as acting Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Why this meeting matters for both New Delhi and Kabul?

The meeting between Jaishankar and Muttaqi is significant because India has yet to formally recognize the Taliban-led "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan." Historically, relations have been fraught, especially since the 1999 Kandahar hijacking and India's concerns about human rights under the Taliban regime, particularly for women.

Nevertheless, India has maintained a cautious humanitarian engagement - sending medicines, vaccines, and earthquake relief supplies to Afghanistan in recent years. The Taliban, in turn, has urged India to issue visas for Afghan traders, students, and patients.