Overview

• Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived in New Delhi for talks from October 9–16 after the UN Security Council’s 1988 Sanctions Committee approved a temporary travel exemption.
• He is set to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, with a possible call on NSA Ajit Doval, as India’s foreign ministry offered a warm official welcome and full protocol.
• Discussions will focus on counterterrorism assurances, trade and transit, humanitarian and health cooperation, visas and consular services, and port access.
• The Taliban are expected to seek permission to appoint an envoy in New Delhi and expand consular staff in Mumbai and Hyderabad, while India maintains non-recognition tied to security and governance conditions.
• The visit follows Moscow Format consultations that opposed foreign military bases in the region; Russia remains the only country reported to have formally recognised the Taliban administration.