"Amir Khan Muttaqi's trip made possible after a UN committee temporarily lifted a travel ban on him to allow diplomatic engagements abroad. Afghanistan's United Nations-sanctioned foreign minister has arrived in India, the first visit by a top Taliban leader since they returned to power in 2021, following the withdrawal of United States-led forces and the fall of Kabul."
"Muttaqi, who met with India's foreign secretary Vikram Misri in January in Dubai, is set to hold talks with its external affairs minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Neither side has disclosed the agenda, but trade and security are likely to be at the forefront, although India has not extended its formal recognition to the Taliban government yet. The trip highlights Taliban efforts to expand engagement with regional powers in a quest for economic ties and eventual diplomatic recognition."
"Muttaqi's visit follows meetings in Russia the only country so far to have officially recognised the Taliban administration. India has long hosted tens of thousands of Afghans, many who fled the country after the Taliban returned to power. Afghanistan's embassy in New Delhi shut in 2023, although consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad still operate limited services. India says its mission in Kabul is limited to coordinating humanitarian aid."
Amir Khan Muttaqi, Afghanistan's United Nations-sanctioned foreign minister, arrived in India after receiving a UN travel waiver that allowed diplomatic engagements abroad. The visit is the first by a top Taliban leader since the group's return to power in 2021 and is expected to draw close attention from regional actors, especially Pakistan. Meetings are scheduled with India's external affairs minister and follow earlier talks in Dubai and Russia. India has not granted formal recognition to the Taliban government, continues to host many Afghan refugees, and limits its Kabul presence to coordinating humanitarian aid while some consular services persist in India.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]