Tue Oct 07 16:58:54 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing and rewriting the provided text:
**India Moves Closer to Recognizing Taliban with Foreign Minister’s Visit**
**NEW DELHI – Oct. 7, 2025** – In a significant development, India appears to be edging closer to formally recognizing the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, with Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi scheduled to visit Delhi this week. Mr. Muttaqi, who is currently on the UN Security Council’s list of banned terrorists, was granted special permission to travel.
The move comes after Mr. Muttaqi participated as a full “member” at the Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan, a 10-nation grouping that includes India. A joint statement issued by the participants, including representatives from Russia, Pakistan, China, Iran, and Central Asian countries, emphasized increased economic exchanges, humanitarian assistance, and regional connectivity initiatives with Afghanistan. The statement also criticized attempts by countries to deploy military infrastructure in Afghanistan and neighboring states.
According to sources, Mr. Muttaqi will receive full protocol as a visiting Foreign Minister, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar hosting him at Hyderabad House on October 10th for talks.
The impending visit has sparked debate, with former diplomats cautioning against full recognition of the Taliban outside of a UN consensus. Vivek Katju, former Afghan relations manager at the MEA, acknowledges the pragmatic need for engagement but advises waiting for international consensus before offering full recognition. Conversely, Gautam Mukhopadhyay, former Ambassador to Afghanistan, suggests the visit reflects a convergence of security interests, potentially leading to increased cooperation on various fronts.
Adding another layer of complexity, former Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta cautions against viewing the visit through the lens of regional rivalries. He fears that India’s approach to Afghanistan is primarily determined by an anti-Pakistan agenda.
The Ministry of External Affairs has declined to comment on whether India plans to formally recognize the Taliban government or if human rights concerns, particularly regarding the ban on girls’ education, will be raised with Mr. Muttaqi.
Mr. Muttaqi’s visit coincides with a meeting between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai. It remains unclear if Mr. Muttaqi will also meet with Mr. Modi during his five-day stay. He is expected to meet with government officials, business groups, and Afghan nationals residing in India.
The visit marks the first official visit by a senior Taliban minister since the group took control of Kabul in August 2021.
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