India and Taliban to Pursue High-Level Engagement Amid Efforts to Host Afghan Foreign Minister

Strategic Insights -

Amid the Taliban's efforts to strengthen relations with India, the Centre is preparing to host Afghan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi for a high-level visit, marking the first such visit since the group took control of Kabul in 2021. The visit, which is contingent on a waiver from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) due to a travel ban imposed on Muttaqi, aims to upgrade bilateral ties and explore areas of cooperation including trade.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Taliban has expressed a need for high-level engagement with India, with visits at the foreign minister level required to pave the way for cooperation in areas such as trade.
  • Suhail Shaheen, Taliban's head of political office and Afghan ambassador to Qatar, has urged the UN to give Afghanistan's seat to the Taliban-led Islamic Emirate.
  • India is likely to approach the UNSC with a request to waive the travel ban on Muttaqi to allow his visit to India, once the dates for the visit are finalized.
  • The visit by Muttaqi will be a landmark event, signaling India's intention to take its development partnership with Afghanistan to the next level, which includes over 500 projects in critical sectors.
  • India has maintained its humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan despite the Taliban's takeovers, with the latest aid sent last week following a 6.0 magnitude earthquake in the country.
  • Taliban has provided security guarantees to India, assuring that it won't allow Pakistan-based terror groups to use Afghanistan for anti-India activities.

Statistics:

  • Over 500 projects in critical sectors are part of India's development partnership with Afghanistan.
  • A 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit Afghanistan last week, prompting India to send humanitarian aid to the country.

Sources:

  • Sachin Parashar, reporting for The Times of India