India stayed in contact with Afghan authorities, sending quick earthquake relief to Kunar via Chabahar port, Jaiswal said
New Delhi
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Friday that Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will make an official visit to India from October 9 to 16. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Committee has granted him a travel exemption for this visit, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters.
“Everyone has seen the exemption granted by the UNSC Committee for the Afghan Foreign Minister’s travel to New Delhi. We shall keep you updated,” Jaiswal said during a media briefing.
During his stay, Muttaqi is expected to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. His visit comes after an earlier attempt was delayed due to pending UN approval.
This trip is seen as part of New Delhi’s ongoing diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan’s Taliban-led interim government. Earlier this year, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had met Muttaqi in January. Several Afghan officials have also visited India recently, including Deputy Minister of Medicine and Food Hamdullah Zahid, who attended a major pharmaceutical and healthcare exhibition in New Delhi last month.
Notably, a senior Taliban security and strategic affairs official also visited the Indian capital last month, though his identity was not disclosed.
India has maintained regular contact with Afghan authorities through meetings, teleconferences, and humanitarian assistance. “We have been in conversation with the interim government in Afghanistan. When the earthquake struck recently, India quickly sent relief material to Kunar province and additional aid through Chabahar,” Jaiswal said.
Muttaqi’s upcoming visit is expected to focus on strengthening diplomatic channels, security discussions, and humanitarian cooperation between the two countries.
