Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will visit Deoband and Agra during his six-day official tour of India, underscoring the evolving diplomatic landscape between the nations. His visit begins on Saturday when he arrives in Deoband, Uttar Pradesh, before traveling to Agra on Sunday.
During his time in Deoband, Muttaqi plans to visit the renowned Darul Uloom Deoband. This institution, noted for its influence in Islamic scholarship, serves a significant role in the region. He is expected to meet with esteemed clerics, scholars, and administrators, which may establish a new chapter in Afghan-Indian religious academia.
Local authorities reported that Muttaqi will arrive around noon and will return to Delhi by evening. The Saharanpur police have enacted comprehensive security measures, with both police and intelligence agencies positioned strategically to ensure a secure environment for the minister’s visit.
Superintendent of Police (Saharanpur Rural) Sagar Jain confirmed the security preparations, stating that local law enforcement remains in close coordination with Darul Uloom officials to facilitate a smooth visit. The institution’s office in-charge, Mufti Rehan Usmani, also verified these plans, noting the seminary’s readiness to welcome the Afghan minister.
Usmani informed PTI that initially, officials had expected a two-day stay. However, due to a tightly packed itinerary, the visit will be condensed to a single day. Muttaqi will meet significant figures such as Rector Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani and Maulana Arshad Madani, the President of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind. This engagement signals potentially strengthened ties between Afghan clerical leadership and Indian Islam.
Furthermore, during this visit, the Afghan Foreign Minister plans to interact with Afghan students studying at the seminary and explore its historic library, which holds thousands of rare Islamic manuscripts. Excitement builds among both students and the local populace about this high-profile diplomatic event.
On Sunday, Amir Khan Muttaqi will travel to Agra, where he intends to visit the iconic Taj Mahal. Authorities stated he will depart from Delhi around 8 a.m. via the Yamuna Expressway, arriving at Shilpgram near the Eastern gate of the monument by 11 a.m.
His visit to the Taj Mahal includes a tour in an electric golf cart, during which he plans to spend approximately 90 minutes at the monument before making his way back to Delhi in the afternoon.
In Agra, officials have implemented stringent security arrangements for the minister. A senior official emphasized, “No lapses will be tolerated, and security will remain tight throughout his visit.”
This tour represents a monumental moment as it marks the first visit by a senior minister of the Taliban to India since the group regained control of Kabul four years ago. The timing of the visit appears strategically significant amidst ongoing tensions between India and Afghanistan, influenced by broader issues related to cross-border terrorism and heightened regional security concerns.
