Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will embark on a significant six-day official tour of India, visiting Deoband in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday and Agra on Sunday. This visit marks a pivotal moment in Indo-Afghan relations, occurring amidst heightened tensions with Pakistan.
On Saturday, Muttaqi will explore the historic Darul Uloom Deoband, a leading Islamic seminary in South Asia. Sources confirm he will meet influential clerics, scholars, and the institution’s administrators during his visit.
The Afghan minister plans to arrive in Deoband around noon and return to Delhi by evening. Saharanpur Rural Superintendent of Police Sagar Jain stated that extensive security measures have been implemented, involving police forces and intelligence units across the area. Local authorities are coordinating closely with Darul Uloom to ensure optimal arrangements for Muttaqi’s visit.
According to Mufti Rehan Usmani, the office in-charge of Darul Uloom, preparations are underway to welcome the Afghan foreign minister. “Initially, we expected him to stay for two days, but due to a packed schedule, the visit has been shortened to one day. He will meet Rector Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani, Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani, and other senior clerics,” Usmani informed PTI.
During his time at the seminary, Muttaqi intends to engage with Afghan students currently enrolled and visit the renowned library, which houses a treasure trove of rare Islamic manuscripts. His visit has generated excitement in the local community and among students alike.
The next day, on Sunday, the Afghan Foreign Minister will proceed to Agra to visit the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal. He plans to leave Delhi at 8 a.m. via the Yamuna Expressway, reaching Shilpgram, located near the monument’s eastern gate, by 11 a.m.
Authorities will transport him to the Taj Mahal in an electric golf cart, where he is expected to spend approximately one and a half hours before heading back to Delhi in the afternoon.
Officials in Agra have stated that meticulous security arrangements are in place for this high-profile visit. “We will not tolerate any lapses, and security will remain tight throughout his stay,” affirmed a senior official.
This visit represents the first time a senior Taliban minister has visited India since the group took control of Kabul four years ago. The diplomatic significance of this trip cannot be understated, especially as it unfolds against the backdrop of strained relations between India and Afghanistan caused by issues such as cross-border terrorism and regional security concerns.
