New Delhi, Oct 2 (NationPress) In a significant move poised to bolster India-Taliban relations, Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is scheduled to visit New Delhi next week, as per sources from IANS.

Initially, as reported by IANS, FM Muttaqi was anticipated to arrive in New Delhi during the last week of August; however, he did not receive the necessary travel ban exemption from the United Nations Security Council.

Sources have confirmed that the senior Taliban government official, who has been at the helm of the Foreign Affairs Ministry since 2021, will be in New Delhi on October 9-10.

The shift in diplomacy between Delhi and Kabul has become evident following the Taliban's takeover in 2021, with both nations working to strengthen their diplomatic ties. This visit comes at a crucial time when Kabul and Islamabad are experiencing heightened tensions, marking it as a pivotal development.

Currently, the Durand Line remains a contentious issue amidst escalating disputes between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Islamabad has accused Kabul of harboring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) members and has recently conducted cross-border airstrikes, which have drawn strong condemnation from the Taliban leadership.

In recent months, several high-ranking Taliban officials have visited New Delhi, including Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister of Medicine and Food, Hamdullah Zahid, who attended the 11th International Exhibition on Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare in the Indian capital last month.

Additionally, another senior Taliban official involved in security and strategic affairs, whose name remains undisclosed, visited Delhi last month and returned just last week.

Sources familiar with the situation stated, "He remained in Delhi for nearly a month, engaging in significant discussions with Indian counterparts on vital issues."

While India has yet to formally recognize the Taliban regime, it has maintained regular communication ranging from reopening its embassy in Kabul to providing ongoing humanitarian assistance—especially following the devastating earthquake.

Moreover, India has transferred Afghanistan's consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad to Taliban diplomats.

An official, who preferred to remain anonymous, indicated to IANS that "FM Muttaqi's visit could pave the way for Afghanistan's embassy in New Delhi to be transitioned to Taliban officials."

Currently, the embassy is being operated by Chargé d'affaires Muhammad Ibrahim Khil, who represents the previous government of Ashraf Ghani.