Overview

• On 30 September, the UN Security Council’s 1988 Sanctions Committee granted Amir Khan Muttaqi an exemption to visit New Delhi from October 9 to 16.
• Muttaqi is slated to attend the Moscow Format consultations on October 6–7 in Russia, with a meeting planned with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, before flying to India.
• This would be the first high-level Taliban visit to New Delhi since the group took power in 2021, even as India maintains a policy of non-recognition.
• Committee decisions are taken by consensus and are currently chaired by Pakistan, and earlier waiver requests for Muttaqi stalled for lack of unanimity, according to reports.
• India has signalled priorities that include counter-terrorism assurances, safeguarding past development investments, sustaining humanitarian aid, and exploring trade and connectivity options such as Chabahar.