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Acting Afghan FM Amir Khan Muttaqi will be in India from October 9 to 16, where he is set to meet EAM Jaishankar and may also call on NSA Ajit Doval
Taliban leader Amir Khan Muttaqi has served as the Afghan foreign minister since the fall of Kabul in August 2021. (Image: Wakil KOHSAR/AFP/File)
CNN-News18 has exclusively accessed the agenda of Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s upcoming visit to India, which Afghan sources say marks a major diplomatic outcome and reflects a cautious resetting of ties between New Delhi and Kabul.
Muttaqi will meet his Indian counterpart, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, during the trip and may also hold talks with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. The visit itself is being seen as a diplomatic breakthrough, signalling a willingness on both sides to reopen channels and restore a degree of normalcy after years of strained relations. Afghan sources describe the very fact of the visit as a key outcome in itself.
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The Indian side is expected to strongly emphasise counter-terrorism during the talks, underlining that Taliban cooperation is essential. Muttaqi, on his part, will seek broader discussions on regional security alongside these counter-terrorism concerns.
Talks will also focus on expanding bilateral trade, with both sides looking at easing transport barriers, opening new trade corridors and boosting cross-border commerce in food, textiles and essential goods. Another important element is the possible upgradation of the Indian embassy in Kabul. Sources say both sides may post full-fledged ambassadors and expand consular presence, a step that would amount to restoring normal state-to-state engagement.
Expansion of visa quotas is also on the table, particularly for businesspersons, medical travellers and families. The Indian side has consistently prioritised people-to-people contact, and discussions are expected on increasing scholarships for Afghan students pursuing higher studies in professional and technical fields.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, is seeking expanded cooperation in medical facilities, health missions and development projects, specifically in the areas of water, infrastructure and electricity.
According to top sources, the United Nations Security Council had cleared Muttaqi’s travel to India after New Delhi sought permission. As a sanctioned Taliban leader under the UNSC’s Resolution 1988 regime, he requires prior approval for any international trip. On September 30, the Council granted an exemption to the travel ban, allowing him to travel to New Delhi from October 9 to 16, after a stop in Russia on October 6. The approval is significant, given that such permissions have previously been denied.
Muttaqi has served as Afghanistan’s foreign minister since the fall of Kabul in August 2021. Earlier this year, he took part in a trilateral meeting in Beijing with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistan’s Ishaq Dar, where they agreed to expand the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan. India has consistently opposed the USD 60 billion project as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Muttaqi’s New Delhi trip, Afghan sources say, is not just about trade and development. It also reflects a cautious reset in ties and signals a willingness on both sides to reopen engagement after years of strain.
About the Author
Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
October 03, 2025, 12:43 IST
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