Fri Oct 03 17:01:19 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the information, focusing on the Indian perspective and the broader context:

**Headline: Taliban ‘Foreign Minister’ to Visit Moscow for Afghanistan Talks, India Also Invited**

**Moscow -** The Taliban administration’s ‘Foreign Minister,’ Amir Khan Muttaqi, is set to visit Moscow next week to participate in a meeting focused on Afghanistan reconciliation and regional cooperation. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced the event, the seventh “Moscow Format” consultation on Afghanistan, which will bring together special representatives and senior officials from Afghanistan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Belarus has also been invited as a guest.

The meeting, scheduled for October 7, 2025, will be inaugurated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who will also hold bilateral talks with Muttaqi on the sidelines. Discussions are expected to center on promoting Afghan national reconciliation and expanding practical cooperation between regional states and Kabul in areas such as politics, economics, counter-terrorism, and anti-drug efforts. A joint statement is anticipated at the conclusion of the meeting.

India’s participation in the Moscow Format consultations is significant, reflecting New Delhi’s ongoing interest in the stability and future of Afghanistan. Given India’s historical and economic ties to Afghanistan, and its concerns about regional security, the meeting provides an important platform for India to engage in discussions about the country’s future.

While the inclusion of Muttaqi, who has recently been granted a UN travel-ban waiver, highlights the international community’s need to engage with the de facto authorities in Kabul, it also presents a complex diplomatic challenge. India, like many other nations, must balance the need for dialogue with concerns about the Taliban’s human rights record and its commitment to inclusive governance.

According to media reports, Muttaqi is also scheduled to visit India next week after the event.

Read More