Afghanistan’s Taliban foreign minister’s India visit: Signals of new diplomatic ties?

Afghanistan's Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has arrived in India on a week-long visit, marking a significant development in the two countries' relations. This visit, made possible by a UN Security Council travel waiver, is the first by a high-ranking Taliban official since the group's return to power in 2021.

During his visit, Muttaqi will hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to discuss bilateral relations and regional issues. The diplomatic engagement is seen as a crucial step in India's efforts to engage with the Taliban government, despite not officially recognizing it.

Interestingly, the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi still flies the old flag of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, rather than the Taliban flag, reflecting India's stance on the matter. Nevertheless, India has taken tentative steps to improve ties with the Taliban government, including meetings between senior officials.

The visit comes amid India's concerns about Afghan soil being used for terrorist activities against other countries. As a result, trade and security are likely to dominate the agenda, with India seeking to ensure that its interests are protected.

Muttaqi's visit could mark a new chapter in India-Afghanistan relations, with potential benefits for regional stability and economic cooperation. However, the challenge lies in balancing diplomatic engagement with concerns about terrorism and human rights. The outcome of the visit will be closely watched, as it may set the tone for future interactions between the two nations.