Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi begins his six-day visit to India with a significant itinerary including stops in Deoband on Saturday, November 4, and Agra on Sunday.
On Saturday, Muttaqi’s schedule includes a visit to the historic Darul Uloom Deoband, one of South Asia’s most respected Islamic seminaries. He plans to meet senior clerics and scholars to discuss educational frameworks and religious matters.
The minister is expected to arrive in Deoband around noon and return to Delhi by evening, as confirmed by local police officials.
Superintendent of Police (Saharanpur Rural) Sagar Jain reported that the authorities have set up comprehensive security measures. They deployed police and intelligence units to ensure the safety of the visiting minister during his day-long stay.
Indications from Darul Uloom officials suggest that the seminary preparations will accommodate the Afghan minister’s visit. Mufti Rehan Usmani, the office in-charge, stated, “We expected him to stay for two days, but due to his packed schedule, he will spend just one day with us.” He is slated to meet educational leaders like Rector Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani and Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani.
They will also facilitate meetings with Afghan students studying at the seminary. The visit has created noticeable enthusiasm among students and community members, as many regard it as a diplomatic gesture towards strengthening ties with Afghanistan.
On Sunday, Muttaqi will head to Agra to visit the world-renowned Taj Mahal. He will leave Delhi by 8 a.m. and is expected to arrive at Shilpgram, near the eastern gate of the monument, by 11 a.m.
The minister will traverse the final stretch to the Taj Mahal in an electric golf cart. He plans to utilize approximately an hour and a half at the site. After his visit, he will return to Delhi in the afternoon.
Local authorities in Agra have confirmed that they have implemented elaborate security arrangements in response to the high-profile nature of the visit. A senior official noted, “No lapses will be tolerated, and security will remain tight throughout his stay.”
This trip marks the first official visit to India by a senior Taliban minister since the group regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021. The timing carries significant implications for regional diplomacy, particularly given the strained relations between India and Afghanistan due to lingering tensions involving Pakistan.
The discussions initiated during this visit present opportunities to address shared concerns related to cross-border terrorism and regional stability.
