India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed the Afghan minister in a post on X, formerly Twitter, stating: “We look forward to engaging discussions with him on bilateral relations and regional issues.”

Muttaqi, who will remain in India until October 16, is expected to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval during his stay, according to diplomatic sources.

UN travel exemption cleared visit

The visit comes after weeks of delay caused by the need for a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) exemption from travel restrictions placed on senior Taliban officials. Muttaqi’s name remains on a list of sanctioned individuals subject to a UN travel ban, which requires special permission for international travel.

Last week, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that the UNSC Sanctions Committee had granted permission for Muttaqi to visit India between October 9 and 16.

“All of you would have seen the exemption that has been granted by the UN Security Council Committee for the travel of the Afghan Foreign Minister to New Delhi,” Jaiswal said during a media briefing. “We shall keep you updated in this regard.”

India’s cautious engagement with the Taliban

Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, India has maintained a careful but pragmatic approach to engaging with the regime, stopping short of formal recognition while keeping diplomatic and humanitarian channels open.

“We have been having conversations with the interim government in Afghanistan,” Jaiswal said, noting past communications between the two sides.

“You would have seen the telecon that took place some time back between the External Affairs Minister and Foreign Minister Muttaqi. Also, we’ve had a conversation between the Joint Secretary in charge and his counterparts on the Afghan side.”

Diplomatic observers say New Delhi’s engagement reflects its efforts to safeguard regional security interests, prevent the spread of extremism, and ensure that Afghanistan’s territory is not used against India’s security concerns.

Humanitarian aid and reconstruction expected to top agenda

Humanitarian assistance, connectivity, and ongoing infrastructure projects are expected to feature prominently in the discussions. India has been among Afghanistan’s largest regional donors over the past two decades, funding roads, hospitals, and educational institutions.

“Recently, when the earthquake happened, we were able to transport relief material to Kunar province the same day, and subsequently we sent more relief material via Chabahar,” Jaiswal said, highlighting India’s continued humanitarian engagement despite the absence of formal diplomatic recognition.

New Delhi has also been quietly expanding cooperation on food and medical supplies, including wheat shipments and life-saving drugs. The recent visit of Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister of Medicine and Food, Hamdullah Zahid, to attend a pharmaceutical exhibition in India underscored growing functional ties between the two countries.

Broader diplomatic context

Muttaqi’s visit follows several months of behind-the-scenes diplomatic contact between India and Taliban officials. Earlier this year, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met the Afghan minister in January to discuss economic and regional issues.

Analysts view the latest visit as part of a gradual normalization process, in which India seeks to maintain influence in Afghanistan while avoiding premature recognition of the Taliban regime.

“India’s engagement with the Taliban is guided by both humanitarian necessity and strategic caution,” said a South Asia analyst based in Doha. “New Delhi does not want to leave a vacuum for Pakistan or China to fill.”

Regional security, counterterrorism, and the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan are also expected to be key points of discussion. Indian officials have repeatedly expressed concern about the potential for militant groups operating in Afghanistan to destabilize the wider region.

New Delhi is also closely watching Taliban interactions with Pakistan, China, and Iran, all of whom maintain varying degrees of engagement with Kabul.
“India recognizes the geopolitical reality that the Taliban are in control,” said a former Indian diplomat. “However, engagement does not equate to endorsement.”

No formal recognition yet

India has not recognized the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the name used by the Taliban for their government. However, it has reopened its diplomatic mission in Kabul in a limited capacity since mid-2022, primarily to oversee humanitarian programs and development assistance.

In past statements, India has emphasized that recognition of the Taliban government will depend on its actions on inclusivity, human rights—especially women’s rights—and counterterrorism commitments.

Despite these reservations, the continuation of dialogue signals a pragmatic shift in India’s foreign policy approach, particularly as the Taliban seeks broader regional legitimacy.

Growing regional diplomacy

Muttaqi’s trip to India is seen as part of Kabul’s broader diplomatic outreach to regional powers. Over the past year, Taliban officials have made visits to China, Iran, Pakistan, and Qatar, seeking investment and political engagement amid Afghanistan’s worsening economic isolation.

The timing of the visit is also notable, coming amid rising regional uncertainty over the security situation in Afghanistan’s northern provinces and reports of renewed militant activity linked to the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP).

For India, observers say the talks offer an opportunity to reassert its presence in Afghanistan and ensure its aid and investment efforts align with its long-term strategic interests in Central and South Asia.

A delicate balancing act

Experts caution that while India is expanding its contacts with the Taliban, it remains wary of being seen as legitimizing the group’s rule. “India’s position is clear — humanitarian engagement and talks on regional stability do not amount to recognition,” said a senior policy researcher at an Indian think tank.

Muttaqi’s visit, therefore, represents both a test and an opportunity for New Delhi — testing how far it can engage without crossing the recognition threshold, while offering a platform to advance shared interests such as trade, connectivity, and counterterrorism.

JP Singh is a name synonymous with diplomatic resilience and strategic acumen.

Jitender Pal Singh, commonly known as JP Singh, is a 2002-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer. His career began with probationary training at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service. His initial postings took him across various Indian missions worldwide, including Turkey, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

While his tenure in Turkey remains less documented, it was a crucial stepping stone in his diplomatic journey. In Afghanistan, he was exposed to post-conflict diplomacy, gaining firsthand experience in handling crisis situations.

Role as Deputy High Commissioner in Pakistan

One of the most defining moments of his career came during his tenure as Deputy High Commissioner in Pakistan, particularly in 2017. He played a pivotal role in the high-profile rescue of Uzma Ahmed, an Indian woman who was tricked into a forced marriage in Pakistan.

JP Singh meticulously oversaw her legal representation, appointed Pakistani lawyers, and ensured the necessary documentation to assert her rights. His personal involvement, including attending court hearings, provided moral and official support. His efforts culminated in Uzma Ahmed’s safe return to India on May 24, 2017, as he personally escorted her to the Wagah Border.

Strengthening India’s Relations with Afghanistan

JP Singh was posted in Kabul between 2008 and 2012, a period marked by two major terrorist attacks on the Indian embassy. Despite the dangers, he remained on the ground, continuing to work towards India’s diplomatic and developmental goals in Afghanistan.

During his tenure, India undertook major infrastructure projects, including:

Zaranj-Delaram Highway: A 218-km road completed in 2010 to facilitate the movement of goods to the Iranian border, connecting with the Garland Highway that links Kabul, Kandahar, Mazar-e-Sharif, Herat, and Kunduz.

Afghan Parliament Building: Built and gifted by India as a symbol of friendship.

India-Afghanistan Friendship Dam (Salma Dam): A 42-MW hydropower and irrigation project in Herat, completed in 2016, benefiting thousands of families.

Stor Palace Restoration: India restored this historic building in Kabul under a tripartite agreement with Afghanistan and the Aga Khan Development Network.

Healthcare and Infrastructure Development: India constructed healthcare centers in border provinces like Badakhshan, Balkh, Kandahar, Khost, Kunar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Nooristan, Paktia, and Paktika.

220kV Transmission Line: From Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul, improving electricity supply.

Military and Transport Aid: India provided 100s of buses for Kabul’s transportation system, 285 military vehicles for the Afghan National Army, Mi-25 and Mi-35 helicopters for the Afghan Air Force, ambulances, and Airbus aircraft for the national airline.

Role in India-Iran Relations

JP Singh played a crucial role in fostering India’s strategic ties with Iran. One of his most significant contributions was advancing the Chabahar Port Project, a joint initiative between India and Iran that provides Afghanistan with direct access to the Indian Ocean. The port has facilitated the shipment of humanitarian aid, including millions of tonnes of wheat, to Afghanistan.

Additionally, Singh was instrumental in the historic India-Iran-Afghanistan trilateral transit pact, which streamlined trade between the three nations, bolstering regional economic activities.

India-Iran-Armenia Trilateral Engagement

More recently, JP Singh has represented India in the India-Iran-Armenia trilateral dialogue, focusing on connectivity, multilateral engagement, trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges. His role has been critical in strengthening India’s strategic outreach in the region.

Leadership in PAI Division (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran)

As Joint Secretary for the PAI Division, JP Singh was responsible for shaping India’s policies toward Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. His diplomatic expertise was put to the test following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. While India feared Afghanistan aligning with Pakistan, Singh ensured continued diplomatic engagement with the Taliban regime.

He visited Afghanistan at least four times, engaging with key figures such as Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Defense Minister Mullah Yaqoob. His efforts facilitated the delivery of humanitarian aid, laying the groundwork for higher-level interactions, including Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s meeting with Taliban officials in Dubai. His swift maneuvering helped maintain Kabul’s alignment closer to New Delhi than Islamabad.

India’s Next Ambassador to Israel

As of 2025, JP Singh is set to take on one of the most crucial diplomatic postings of his career as India’s Ambassador to Israel. His appointment comes at a time when India maintains close ties with both Israel and the Arab world. This posting will allow him to engage in high-stakes negotiations and influence regional geopolitics.

Key diplomatic priorities in Israel under Singh’s leadership may include:

• Strengthening bilateral defense and technological cooperation.
• Reviving multilateral engagements such as the I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-US) group.
• Expanding the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
• Enhancing India-Israel trade, investment, and intelligence collaboration.

The Diplomat: A Film Inspired by His Story

JP Singh’s extraordinary career has not only shaped India’s foreign policy but has also inspired cinema. The upcoming film “The Diplomat,” starring John Abraham, is based on his role in the rescue of Uzma Ahmed. His ability to navigate complex international negotiations and safeguard India’s interests in volatile regions has cemented his reputation as one of India’s most influential diplomats.

JP Singh is a name synonymous with diplomatic resilience and strategic acumen. From rescuing an Indian national in Pakistan to strengthening India’s ties with Afghanistan, Iran, and Israel, his contributions have left a lasting impact on India’s foreign policy. As he takes on his next challenge in Tel Aviv, his legacy as a skilled negotiator and a committed diplomat continues to grow. His journey serves as a testament to the power of diplomacy in shaping global relations.

The Article is curated based on the X-Thread of Tanmay Saukur.