New Delhi: Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, interacted with Indian analysts and experts during an event organised by the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) in New Delhi in October. The packed gathering, including noted female scholars, was enthralled as Muttaqi spoke about his country’s deep relationship with India.

“The conversation underscored the deep economic, historical, cultural, and civilizational ties between the two countries. His mention of Rabindranath Tagore’s Kabuliwala struck a poignant chord with the audience,” the New Delhi-based think tank specialising in foreign affairs, national security, strategy, and public policy posted on X along with photos from the event.

`The Afghan Foreign Minister was on a seven-day visit aimed at further strengthening the historic relations between the two countries. On October 11, Muttaqi visited the historic Darul Uloom Deoband in Uttar Pradesh, holding discussions with religious scholars at the Islamic seminary. This marked the first visit by a senior Taliban leader to Darul Uloom Deoband since the regime change in Afghanistan.

Darul Uloom Deoband holds significant symbolic and ideological relevance for the Taliban. Many senior Taliban leaders studied at Darul Uloom Haqqania in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, an institution modelled after Deoband.

On October 10, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar met with Muttaqi in New Delhi. They discussed India’s support for Afghanistan’s development, bilateral trade, territorial integrity, people-to-people ties, capacity-building, and other key issues.

EAM Jaishankar described Muttaqi’s visit as an “important step” in advancing bilateral ties and announced the handing over of five ambulances to Afghanistan. Following the talks, Jaishankar wrote on X, “Pleased to meet FM Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi of Afghanistan today in New Delhi. This visit marks an important step in advancing our ties and affirming the enduring India-Afghanistan friendship. Discussed India’s support for Afghanistan’s development, our bilateral trade, territorial integrity and independence, people-to-people ties and capacity building. India will upgrade its Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of Embassy of India.”

He also posted, “Also handed over 5 Ambulances to FM Muttaqi. This is part of the larger gift of 20 ambulances, and other medical equipment reflecting our long standing support for Afghan people.”