New Delhi, Oct 9 (NationPress) Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has touched down in New Delhi for an official week-long visit, primarily aimed at enhancing bilateral relations and addressing regional concerns.

Upon his arrival, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed its anticipation for fruitful discussions, stating on X, "We look forward to engaging discussions with him on bilateral relations and regional issues."

Muttaqi's stay in India will last until October 16.

During this period, he is expected to meet with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.

His visit was initially planned for a few weeks ago but was postponed due to the absence of a travel ban exemption from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Last week, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal announced that the UNSC Committee had granted the necessary exemption for Muttaqi's travel to India from October 9 to 16.

"You would have seen the exemption granted by the UN Security Council Committee for the Afghan Foreign Minister's travel to New Delhi. This information is publicly available, and we will keep you updated," Jaiswal remarked to reporters.

When asked about India's conditions for recognizing the current Taliban government, Jaiswal noted, "We have been engaging in discussions with the interim government in Afghanistan, including a recent teleconference between the EAM and Foreign Minister Muttaqi, along with talks involving the Joint Secretary and his Afghan counterparts."

Key topics for discussion during the visit are anticipated to include New Delhi's humanitarian assistance and infrastructure projects.

"Following the recent earthquake, we promptly transported relief materials to Kunar province, and additional aid was sent through Chabahar," Jaiswal stated.

This visit is part of a series of diplomatic interactions between New Delhi and the Taliban administration over recent months, including a meeting in January this year between Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Muttaqi.

Several key figures from Kabul have traveled to New Delhi in recent months, including Afghanistan's Deputy Minister of Medicine and Food, Hamdullah Zahid, who attended the 11th edition of the International Exhibition on Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare last month.