Beginning on Oct. 9, Muttaqi’s weeklong visit to India has faced intense scrutiny and interest, owing to the symbolism and rarity of a Taliban leader being hosted at an official level in India. Few foresaw such a visit when the insurgent group regained power in August 2021. But India, propelled by realpolitik and pragmatism, has steadily increased its engagement with the Taliban in the past few years while still abstaining from formally recognizing the regime.
When Amir Khan Muttaqi, the foreign minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met with his Indian counterpart, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in New Delhi on Oct. 10, the fragile scaffolding of India’s engagement with the Taliban was on full view. All official communications from the Indian side referred to Muttaqi as simply the “Afghan foreign minister.” At the meeting, neither the tricolor flag of Afghanistan’s erstwhile republic nor the white banner of the Islamic Emirate were present. At the Afghan Embassy, on the other hand, the flag of the republic was hoisted outside, while Muttaqi and his coterie put up the emirate’s white flag inside, claiming Taliban ownership over the premises and the people working within it.
When Amir Khan Muttaqi, the foreign minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met with his
Continue Reading on Foreign Policy
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.