• Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban's foreign minister, is on a significant visit to India.
• This marks the first visit by a senior Taliban leader since their return to power in 2021.
• India plans to upgrade its diplomatic mission in Kabul to a full-fledged embassy.
• India is focusing on trade, security, and regional stability through this engagement.
• The visit is closely monitored by Pakistan, amid rising tensions between the countries.

Afghanistan's interim foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, has arrived in India for a landmark visit, marking the first by a top Taliban leader since the group returned to power in 2021 after the withdrawal of US-led forces. This visit follows the UN Security Council’s temporary lifting of a travel ban on Muttaqi, allowing him to engage in diplomatic activities abroad. Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed optimism about the discussions on bilateral relations and regional issues during this visit, which will conclude on October 16, 2025, according to TRT World and Al Jazeera.

The agenda for the meetings between Muttaqi and Indian officials, including External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, has not been made public, but discussions are expected to center on trade and security. India has refrained from formally recognizing the Taliban government, despite the growing engagement as it seeks to restore its influence in Afghanistan against the backdrop of tense relations with Pakistan, which historically had strong ties with the Taliban. Analysts suggest that India is pursuing a strategic approach to engage with the Taliban without extending formal recognition, as highlighted by statements from former ambassador Rakesh Sood and the International Crisis Group, according to Al Jazeera and BBC.

During this visit, India announced the reopening of its embassy in Kabul, transitioning its technical mission to a full embassy—a significant diplomatic shift since India closed its operations following the Taliban's takeover in August 2021. Jaishankar emphasized India's commitment to Afghanistan's sovereignty, mentioning the strategic importance of cooperative efforts to enhance national development and regional stability. The move has been described as a response to both the Taliban’s request for engagement and the need to address security concerns that both nations share, as they confront threats from militant groups, according to Reuters and TRT World.

Furthermore, Muttaqi's visit aligns with the Taliban's broader strategy to establish diplomatic ties with regional powers, underlined by meetings held in Moscow prior to this trip, where limited recognition of the Taliban government was achieved. Analysts observe that this evolving relationship between India and the Taliban signifies a tactical move for both parties, allowing the Taliban to show greater autonomy from Pakistan while India seeks to enhance its influence in Afghanistan amidst geopolitical tensions, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.