New Delhi, Oct 9 (NVI) Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Mullah Amir Khan Muttaqi is in Delhi on a visit in response to an official invitation, marking a huge development that will have far-reaching implications for the region, particularly upsetting Pakistan.
Muttaqi is the highest-ranking leader of the Taliban regime, which is ruling Afghanistan since August 2021 after seizing power militarily, to undertake visit to India for strengthening bilateral relations.
He is expected to hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to discuss how the two countries can engage better in various spheres, including security, political, economic and trade.
Muttaqi arrived in New Delhi after his visit to Russia where he attended the ‘Moscow Format’ conclave, in which Indian Ambassador also participated on behalf of the country.
The visit, which has immense symbolism and message, comes months after the government of India established contact with the Taliban regime, with whom ties were very bitter during their earlier tenure from 1996 to 2001.
Jaishankar and Muttaqi have already held one telephonic conversation in May after the latter condemned the Pahalgam terror carnage carried out by Pakistani terrorists.
Prior to that, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri paid a visit to Kabul to meet Muttaqi in February.
The fact that the Taliban regime is engaging with India and favouring deepening of relations is a huge setback to Pakistan which has been humiliating and trying to isolate Afghanistan.
A major country like India hosting such a high-ranking leader of the Taliban regime also marks a significant development since the current regime of Afghanistan is yet to be recognized officially by most of the nations, including New Delhi.
Pakistan will surely be watching the visit closely. (NVI)
