Afghan Foreign Minister Visits Deoband: Strengthening India-Afghanistan Diplomatic Relations Amid Regional Challenges

Amir Khan Muttaqi, Foreign Minister of Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, made a significant visit to Deoband today, marking an important diplomatic engagement.

During his visit to Darul Uloom Deoband in Saharanpur, one of South Asia's most influential Islamic seminaries, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi expressed confidence that India-Afghanistan relations would strengthen in the future.

Muttaqi thanked the Indian people for their warm welcome, stating, "We will be sending new diplomats, and I hope you people will visit Kabul as well. I have hopes for stronger ties in the future from the way I was received in Delhi. These visits may be frequent in the near future."

The Afghan delegation arrived in Deoband from Delhi by road and received a grand welcome from Mohtamim (vice-chancellor) of Darul Uloom Deoband Abul Qasim Nomani, Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani, and other officials amid a shower of flower petals.

Hundreds of seminary students and locals gathered at the Deoband campus, eager to greet the foreign dignitary, though security personnel maintained order during the visit.

"I am thankful for such a grand welcome and the affection shown by the people here. I hope that India-Afghanistan ties advance further," Muttaqi told reporters at the event.

Prior to his arrival, intelligence and security agencies implemented extensive arrangements at Deoband. Officials from the Afghan embassy in Delhi had arrived a day earlier to coordinate with Darul Uloom officials and review all preparations.

Muttaqi, who began his six-day trip to India on Thursday, is the first senior Taliban minister to visit the country since the group took power four years ago. It's worth noting that India has not yet formally recognized the Taliban government.

During his earlier engagements in Delhi, Muttaqi had announced that Kabul would soon send diplomats to India as part of "step-by-step" efforts to improve bilateral relations. He also assured that the Taliban administration would not allow Afghan territory to be used against other countries.

The Foreign Minister additionally advocated for India and Afghanistan to collaborate in addressing obstacles to the development of Iran's Chabahar port, which has been placed under sanctions by the Trump administration.

This diplomatic visit gains additional significance as it occurs while both India and Afghanistan maintain tense relations with Pakistan over various issues, including cross-border terrorism.