In what could mark a major turning point in India-Afghanistan relations under Taliban rule, New Delhi has extended an official invitation to Afghan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to visit the Indian capital, CNN-News18 reported, citing top diplomatic sources.
The visit is tentatively planned for later this week, but its confirmation depends on whether the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions committee grants a special travel waiver. Muttaqi, who is on the UN’s sanctions list under Resolution 1988 that targets Taliban leaders, cannot travel abroad without prior approval from the committee.
“New Delhi has completed all logistical and diplomatic preparations for the Afghan foreign minister’s visit," a source told CNN-News18. “We are now awaiting a decision from the UNSC’s travel committee. Once that is granted, the exact dates will be finalised."
Officials in Kabul also acknowledged the proposed trip. A senior Taliban foreign ministry official said, “The Indian invitation has been received, and the foreign minister is scheduled to travel to India later this week, subject to the travel approval."
If cleared, this would mark the first-ever official visit by a Taliban minister to India since the group retook control of Afghanistan in August 2021 following the withdrawal of US and NATO troops.
Setback for Pakistan, gain for India?
The invitation comes on the heels of a diplomatic setback for Pakistan, where a similar request to host Muttaqi was blocked after the US reportedly opposed Islamabad’s bid for a travel waiver. That opposition could again come into play for India’s request.
A UN source in New York told CNN-News18 that the sanctions committee is currently reviewing India’s application, with a decision expected shortly. However, the US is “likely to raise objections," echoing its stance against Pakistan’s earlier attempt.
“If approved, it would be a significant diplomatic win for New Delhi, particularly in contrast to Islamabad’s failure to secure a similar waiver," the UN source said. “It could signal the beginning of a cautious re-engagement with Kabul."
Taliban leaders remain under sanctions
Senior Taliban officials, including Muttaqi, remain under UN sanctions imposed since the early 2000s for the group’s ties to al-Qaeda. These measures -- travel bans, asset freezes, and arms embargoes -- are still in effect under UNSC Resolution 1988 despite the Taliban’s return to power.
India has so far limited its engagement with the Taliban regime to humanitarian aid and technical cooperation, without offering diplomatic recognition. Still, its decision to reopen a technical embassy team in Kabul in 2022 signalled an intent to maintain working-level contact.
Should Muttaqi’s visit materialise, it could lay the groundwork for discussions on regional security, counter-terrorism, trade, and connectivity -- areas where Afghanistan remains strategically important to India.
Analysts suggest that New Delhi’s move, especially if it succeeds where Islamabad failed, could reshape regional diplomacy and highlight the emerging competition between India and Pakistan for influence in Kabul.
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