‘India, Afghanistan are brothers’: Taliban guard welcomes Indian tourist at checkpoint | Watch

Taliban guard lets Indian tourist pass without check

A video circulating on social media shows a Taliban border guard warmly greeting an Indian traveller at a checkpoint in Afghanistan, offering a rare glimpse of hospitality toward visitors from India.

The clip, shared on X by Afghanistan-based user Fazal Afghan, captures an Indian motorcyclist stopped for a routine passport inspection. The tourist calmly identified himself as Indian, and the guard’s demeanor instantly shifted from formal to friendly.

Smiling, the guard said, “India, Afghanistan are brothers. No passport or written permission is required; please go ahead. Welcome to Kabul, Afghanistan.” He then gestured for the biker to continue, allowing him to pass without further checks.

The post accompanying the video read, “An Indian tourist in Afghanistan was stopped by the Taliban at a checkpoint for a routine passport check. But the moment he said he was from India, they smiled, welcomed him, and let him go without even checking his documents. This is how Afghanistan treats its true friends.”

An Indian tourist in Afghanistan was stopped by the Taliban at a checkpoint for a routine passport check. But the moment he said he was from India, they smiled, welcomed him, & let him go without even checking his documents. This is how Afghanistan treats its true friends. 🇦🇫❤️🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/YsKFVVEVP5

— Fazal Afghan (@fhzadran) October 7, 2025

The footage, captured on the traveller’s helmet-mounted camera, shows the initial tense moment at the checkpoint quickly transform into a cordial interaction. The soldiers, curious rather than hostile, allowed the tourist to continue his journey without complications.

The viral clip has drawn thousands of views and comments online, with many users calling the incident “unexpectedly heartwarming.” Several highlighted the long-standing cultural and historical ties between India and Afghanistan, which may have influenced the friendly response.

One user commented, “Interesting story! Shows that sometimes personal or historical ties can make a bigger difference than paperwork.”

India-Afghanistan people-to-people ties

India and Afghanistan share strong people-to-people connections. Despite India not officially recognising the Taliban government, Afghans have traditionally held India in high regard due to humanitarian aid, education initiatives, and infrastructure projects. Many social media users noted that the video reflects this enduring goodwill.

“I’ve been to Kabul thrice, and I can say this is very true. Afghan people respect Indians and offer a very warm welcome," wrote one viewer.

Some commentators, however, stressed that standard security protocols should still be followed to ensure safety, particularly in regions with ongoing security concerns. Others praised the courage of the traveler navigating an unpredictable area and emphasized how such interactions showcase Afghanistan’s complex security landscape.