Two sources have revealed that Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has recieved a set of “special directives” from their leader Hibatullah Akhundzada ahead of his planned trips to India and Russia.
The sources, one from Akhundzada’s office, said Muttaqi has travelled to Kandahar to meet Akhundzda ahead of the visits. Further details of the meeting has not been disclosed.
The United Nations Security Council has granted Muttaqi a temporary travel exemption to visit India but made no mention of Russia.
According to a Sept. 30 statement from the UN Security Council’s sanctions committee, the exemption allows Muttaqi to travel to New Delhi from Oct. 9 to 16 under Resolution 1988. However, the Taliban Foreign Ministry earlier claimed that Russia had invited Muttaqi to attend the “Moscow Format” talks, expected to take place in early or mid-October.
The sources said Muttaqi met Akhundzada on Friday in Kandahar, where the Taliban leader resides and issues most major policy decisions. The visit comes after several of Muttaqi’s planned trips to Pakistan were canceled in recent months, reportedly due to Akhundzada’s objections or logistical issues.
If the India trip proceeds, it would mark the Taliban foreign minister’s first visit to New Delhi since their return to power in 2021. India was a key supporter of the former Afghan republic and has since taken a cautious approach toward engagement with the Taliban.
Human rights advocates have urged countries engaging with the Taliban to prioritize human rights issues, particularly those concerning women and minorities.
“Superficial engagement risks granting the Taliban undeserved legitimacy,” said Afghan rights activist Seema Noori. “When international pressure drops, Taliban leaders feel less accountable for their actions toward women, minorities, and civil freedoms.”
Analysts say India’s willingness to engage reflects both regional security concerns and its long-standing rivalry with Pakistan, which has close ties with the Taliban.
