Full story
Afghanistan-India Diplomatic Visit
Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived in New Delhi on October 9 for a week-long visit.
“Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived in New Delhi on October 9 for a week-long visit, marking the first ministerial-level trip from Kabul to India since the Taliban took power in August 2021.”
This is the first ministerial-level trip from Kabul to India since the new authorities took power in August 2021.
The visit aims at talks on bilateral ties and regional issues and signals a push to cement diplomatic engagement with India.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs warmly welcomed him, with meetings expected through October 16.
New Delhi continues what Asian outlets describe as cautious but expanding outreach to the new authorities following their inclusion in recent regional formats.
Regional coverage also links the visit to the new authorities’ first official participation in the Moscow Format and India’s plan to host Muttaqi in October.
This underscores a new phase of contact even in the absence of formal recognition by India.
Regional Stance on Afghanistan
Muttaqi’s India trip is unfolding against the backdrop of the seventh Moscow Format consultations.
During these consultations, regional states reaffirmed Afghan sovereignty and economic revival.
They also opposed any foreign military infrastructure in Afghanistan or neighboring countries.
Statements from Moscow emphasized the importance of counterterrorism coordination.
The statements cautioned that deploying external bases would jeopardize peace.
This language aligns with broader regional resistance to renewed foreign military footprints.
It also reflects Russia’s calls to integrate Afghanistan into regional frameworks.
India's Approach to Afghanistan
India’s message around the visit blends outreach with caution.
“India, represented by Ambassador Vinay Kumar, stressed the importance of a secure, peaceful, and stable Afghanistan for regional and global security, supporting Afghan independence, peace, and socioeconomic development.”
New Delhi underscores that a secure, peaceful, and stable Afghanistan is vital for regional and global security.
India supports Afghan independence and development.
The country expands contact without extending formal recognition.
Indian diplomats participated in Moscow’s regional forum and are preparing talks in New Delhi with Muttaqi.
India presents itself as a pragmatic interlocutor focused on security, connectivity, and humanitarian considerations.
Taliban Coverage and Diplomacy
Coverage diverges sharply on the Taliban’s record and its bearing on diplomacy.
Western mainstream and local Western outlets stress rights abuses and isolation, citing bans on most jobs and education for girls beyond sixth grade.
Several Asian and West Asian sources highlight counterterrorism and counternarcotics progress touted by Moscow and some regional actors.
This split frames how Muttaqi’s India visit is perceived: as either pragmatic engagement despite ongoing repression, or as normalization contingent on verifiable improvements in security and rights.
Russia and India’s Taliban Relations
A final area of divergence shaping perceptions of the India visit is the timing and meaning of Russia’s recognition of the Taliban.
“Russia officially recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan in July 2025, becoming the first country to do so after removing the group from its list of outlawed organizations.”
Multiple Western and Local Western outlets say Moscow recognized the Taliban in July 2025, with some noting acceptance of ambassadorial credentials.
At least one Asian outlet places recognition a year earlier, creating an unresolved discrepancy.
Several sources note India’s deeper engagement without formal recognition, underscoring that New Delhi’s moves remain bounded even as it hosts Muttaqi.