Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is set to visit Deoband in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur district on Saturday and Agra on Sunday as part of his six-day official tour in India. This visit marks the first appearance in India by a senior Taliban minister since it took power in Kabul four years ago.
During his day-long stay in Deoband, Muttaqi will tour the renowned Darul Uloom Deoband, a key Islamic seminary in South Asia. Here, he will meet senior clerics, scholars, and the institution’s administrators, according to Saharanpur police.
The Afghan minister is scheduled to arrive around noon and return to Delhi by evening. Saharanpur Rural Superintendent of Police Sagar Jain confirmed that security measures have been thoroughly planned, with police and intelligence units deployed extensively throughout the area. The district administration collaborates closely with the seminary authorities to ensure a smooth program.
Mufti Rehan Usmani, the office in-charge at Darul Uloom, confirmed the visit, sharing insights regarding the program. “We initially expected him to stay for two days, but due to a packed schedule, his visit has been streamlined to one day. He will engage with Rector Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani and other prominent clerics such as Maulana Arshad Madani, the president of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind,” Usmani told PTI.
Significantly, Muttaqi is set to interact with Afghan students enrolled at the seminary, fostering connections with the community. His itinerary includes a visit to the seminary’s historic library, which contains thousands of rare Islamic manuscripts. The visit has generated considerable enthusiasm among both students and local residents.
On Sunday, the Afghan Foreign Minister will travel to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. According to officials, he will depart from Delhi around 8 a.m. via the Yamuna Expressway, arriving at Shilpgram, located near the eastern gate of the monument, by 11 a.m.
Muttaqi will tour the magnificent Taj Mahal using an electric golf cart and is expected to spend approximately an hour and a half at the site before heading back to Delhi in the afternoon.
Agra officials stated that elaborate security arrangements have been implemented for this significant visit. A senior official emphasized that security measures will remain stringent throughout his stay, with zero tolerance for lapses.
This visit carries strategic significance, especially at a time when ties between India and Afghanistan remain strained due to ongoing issues with Pakistan, including cross-border terrorism and regional security concerns. The international community keenly observes this diplomatic engagement, hoping for new pathways toward cooperation.
