Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is set to commence an official six-day visit to India, including stops in Deoband, Uttar Pradesh, and Agra. His visit begins on Saturday, with a pivotal stop at one of South Asia’s famous Islamic seminaries.
During his time in Deoband, Muttaqi will tour the historic Darul Uloom Deoband, where he plans to meet prominent clerics and scholars. The visit emphasizes the importance of religious and cultural dialogue between Afghanistan and India.
Local authorities confirmed that he will arrive by noon and depart for Delhi by evening. The Saharanpur police have implemented comprehensive security arrangements for his visit, including deployments from police and intelligence units.
The district administration is collaborating closely with Darul Uloom’s management to ensure a seamless program. Mufti Rehan Usmani, the office in-charge of Darul Uloom, stated, “We anticipated his visit would last two days, but his busy schedule necessitated a shorter stay.”
Muttaqi will engage with notable figures, including Rector Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani and Maulana Arshad Madani, President of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind. Furthermore, he plans to interact with Afghan students at the seminary and explore its historic library, which contains thousands of rare Islamic manuscripts.
On Sunday, the Afghan minister will proceed to Agra to visit the iconic Taj Mahal. Officials stated that he will depart from Delhi at 8 a.m. via the Yamuna Expressway, arriving at the vicinity of the monument by 11 a.m..
Muttaqi will travel to the Taj Mahal using an electric golf cart and is scheduled to spend approximately 90 minutes at the site. After his visit, he will return to Delhi in the afternoon.
Agra officials assured the public of robust security measures during this high-profile visit. A senior official emphasized, “No lapses will be tolerated, and security will be maintained throughout his stay.”
This trip marks a significant moment, as it represents the first visit by a senior Taliban minister to India since the group took control in Kabul four years ago. The timing of Muttaqi’s visit holds substantial strategic significance, particularly given the ongoing tensions between India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan regarding cross-border terrorism and other regional security issues.
Overall, the visit not only strengthens diplomatic channels but also enhances cultural understanding, marking a tentative thaw in relations amid fluctuating geopolitical dynamics.
