Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will visit Deoband in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday and Agra on Sunday during a six-day official tour of India. His visit is notable as it marks the first time a senior Taliban minister has visited India since the group seized power in Kabul.
Officials from Saharanpur confirmed that Muttaqi will spend his day in Deoband primarily at the historic Darul Uloom Deoband. This institution is among South Asia’s leading Islamic seminaries, and it plays a significant role in religious education.
Upon his arrival around noon, he will meet with influential clerics and scholars. Superintendent of Police (Saharanpur Rural) Sagar Jain emphasized that comprehensive security arrangements are in place to ensure a safe visit. Police and intelligence units will monitor the area closely.
The visit aims to fortify Afghanistan-India cultural ties and to facilitate discussions on religious matters. Mufti Rehan Usmani, the office in-charge of Darul Uloom, noted that the seminaries are eagerly preparing to welcome the Afghan minister. He stated, “We expected him to stay for two days, but due to his packed schedule, the visit will be condensed to one day.”
During his time at the seminary, Muttaqi will interact with Afghan students enrolled there and tour the historic library, which boasts thousands of rare Islamic manuscripts. This has stirred excitement within the student community and local residents, highlighting the cultural significance of the visit.
On Sunday, the minister will head to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal. Departing Delhi at 8 a.m., he will travel via the Yamuna Expressway and is expected to reach Shilpgram by 11 a.m. For transportation across the monument, an electric golf cart will take him through the site.
Authorities in Agra have implemented extensive security measures to safeguard this visit, with a senior official stressing, “No lapses will be tolerated; security will remain tight throughout his stay.”
This visit holds strategic significance amid ongoing tensions between India and Afghanistan, especially regarding issues like cross-border terrorism and regional security concerns posing challenges to both nations.
Experts believe that this engagement could pave the way for dialogues on critical issues in the region. The meeting between the Afghan minister and Indian officials could indicate a thaw in relations and open avenues for collaboration on educational and cultural fronts.