Who is Noor Ahmed Noor?: First Afghan envoy posted to India since Taliban takeover

Noor Ahmed Noor (Photo courtesy: Khaama Press)

• Noor Ahmed Noor appointed as Afghan envoy to India, first since Taliban takeover
• His posting signals renewed diplomatic and health cooperation.
• Afghan citizens can now access Indian visas for medical and business travel

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Afghanistan has named diplomat Noor Ahmed Noor to its Embassy in New Delhi, making him the first Afghan envoy posted to India since the Taliban assumed control in Kabul nearly five years ago.

According to the sources cited by The Hindu Noor Ahmed Noor has arrived in the Indian capital to take charge of his assignment, marking a significant step in the gradual resumption of formal diplomatic engagement between the two sides.

Who is Noor Ahmed Noor?

Noor Ahmed Noor previously served as the First Political Director at Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is seen as a career diplomat. His appointment comes at a time when India and Afghanistan are increasingly interacting through humanitarian assistance, health cooperation and official visits, even as regional dynamics continue to evolve.

The posting aligns with Kabul’s recent emphasis on strengthening ties with New Delhi, particularly in the health sector. On December 20, Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health, Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, underlined India’s growing importance as a partner for pharmaceutical supplies.

He said India was emerging as a reliable alternative as Afghanistan’s ties with Pakistan have weakened. “We have a strong relationship with India, and we are here to open a new chapter of cooperation and collaboration. When it comes to Pakistan, the relationship stands deteriorated,” Jalali said during his visit.

Jalali was in New Delhi to attend the Second World Health Organisation Global Summit on Traditional Medicine. During the visit, Indian authorities reiterated their commitment to providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, with a particular focus on sustained medical supplies and health-related support as a long-term pillar of engagement.

The Ministry of External Affairs welcomed Jalali on his first official trip to India, signalling that New Delhi remains committed to humanitarian outreach towards Afghanistan despite changes in political circumstances. His visit was part of a wider series of official exchanges that have taken place over the past year.

In October 2025, Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi travelled to India, marking the first such visit since the Taliban takeover. Speaking to ANI at the time, Muttaqi described the reception positively, saying, “The journey has been very good so far. Not just the people of Darul Uloom, but all the people of the area have come here. I am grateful for the warm welcome they extended to me.” The Hindu reported that Noor's appointment was agreed between India and the Afghan regime during Muttaqi's trip to New Delhi when he met External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar.

Economic and people-to-people issues have also featured in recent discussions. On November 24, Afghanistan’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, announced that long-pending visa issues between the two countries had been addressed.

He said Afghan citizens would now be able to access Indian visas for medical treatment and business travel. Following his five-day visit, Azizi noted that the Afghan Embassy would be central to facilitating these services, while the Indian Embassy in Kabul would also roll out programmes to assist Afghan nationals.

Against this backdrop of renewed contacts and practical cooperation, the arrival of Noor Ahmed Noor in New Delhi is being viewed as a diplomatic signal that both sides are keen to keep channels open, with humanitarian support and official engagement continuing to anchor the relationship.