• Source:JND
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Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi is set to visit India next week. His visit comes after receiving a temporary travel exemption from the United Nations Security Council, which normally bars senior Taliban officials from international travel under Resolution 1988 (2011). The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday responded to Muttaqi's visit.

"We have been having a conversation with the interim government in Afghanistan. You would have seen the telecon that had taken place some time back between the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said addressing a weekly media briefing. The conversation between the two ministers took place earlier this year in May.

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"We also had a conversation between the Joint Secretary in charge and his counterparts on the Afghan side," Jaiswal said.

India extended humanitarian support by swiftly delivering aid after the recent earthquake that affected parts of Afghanistan.“Recently, when the earthquake happened, the same day, we were able to transport relief material to Kunar province, and subsequently, we sent more relief material via Chabahar,” he said.

Jaiswal added that the MEA "will keep you updated with the developments that will happen regarding the visit."

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Muttaqi On Banned List Since 2001

Muttaqi was placed on the UN Security Council's sanctions list on January 25, 2001, and subjected to a travel ban, asset freeze, and arms embargo.

Taliban Minister's First Visit To India

Muttaqi is scheduled to visit India next week, marking a notable development in Delhi-Kabul relations. Muttaqi, who has held the position since the Taliban assumed control of Afghanistan in August 2021, will be in New Delhi from October 9 to 10.

Muttaqi’s visit is part of efforts to strengthen development partnerships between India and Afghanistan and maintain diplomatic engagement despite the Taliban regime remaining largely unrecognised internationally. The exemption, approved by the UN Security Council’s sanctions committee on September 30, allows him to travel to India for talks and bilateral engagements. A previous attempt to facilitate a similar visit earlier this year was blocked due to US opposition.