Afghan Foreign Minister's Planned Visit to India Called Off Due to UN Travel Ban
A proposed visit to India by Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, has been cancelled because he was unable to secure a waiver from a UN Security Council travel ban. The visit would have been the first ministerial-level trip from Kabul to New Delhi since the Taliban seized power in 2021. The cancellation highlights the diplomatic complexities and international sanctions that constrain India's engagement with the current Afghan authorities, whom it has not formally recognised.
Unpacked:
Amir Khan Muttaqi is sanctioned under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1988, which targets Taliban leaders due to concerns over terrorism, human rights, and links to extremist groups. These sanctions include travel bans, asset freezes, and arms embargoes to restrict their international movements and financial resources.
No, India has not officially recognized the Taliban government. India maintains diplomatic and humanitarian engagement with Afghanistan but has withheld formal recognition since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, opting for limited re-engagement through aid and technical missions.
India’s interests include safeguarding regional security, maintaining influence, preventing Afghanistan from becoming a base for anti-India terrorism, and supporting development projects. Concerns focus on human rights, the Taliban’s ties to extremist groups, and balancing regional competition, especially with Pakistan and China.
Since 2021, India and the Taliban have held several diplomatic interactions, including meetings in Dubai, telephonic conversations between ministers, and provision of humanitarian aid. However, these contacts remain unofficial and cautious, reflecting India’s strategic approach to engagement without formal recognition.