New Delhi: In a bold diplomatic maneuver, Afghanistan’s Taliban government has installed its first senior envoy in India since reclaiming power in 2021, signaling a subtle yet strategic deepening of engagement in the region.
Despite New Delhi’s non-recognition of the Taliban regime, the move underscores India’s calculated effort to navigate geopolitical fissures between Kabul and Islamabad, while exploring opportunities for political and economic collaboration.
Noor Ahmad Noor, a Taliban foreign ministry official, has assumed the role of charge d’affaires in Delhi and has already met with Indian officials, the Afghan Embassy stated.
“Both sides emphasised the importance of strengthening Afghanistan–India relations,” the embassy said in a post on X late Monday. The discussions reportedly covered bilateral political and economic cooperation, expansion of trade, facilitation of visa procedures, and challenges faced by Afghan traders, students, and residents in India.
The Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in New Delhi, H.E. Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor, met with Mr. Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary of the Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran (PAI) Division at the Ministry of External Affairs of India.
1/3 pic.twitter.com/DpLTaFxUUe— AFG Embassy INDIA (@AFGEmbassyINDIA) January 12, 2026
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on bilateral political and economic relations, the expansion of trade, facilitation of visa processes, and issues faced by Afghan traders, students, and Afghan nationals residing in India.
2/3 pic.twitter.com/XMs37O7iKk— AFG Embassy INDIA (@AFGEmbassyINDIA) January 12, 2026
While India has not formally commented, the Afghan embassy shared a photograph of Noor with senior Indian foreign ministry official Anand Prakash.
The Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islamic law may seem at odds with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government, yet New Delhi appears determined to seize diplomatic openings in Afghanistan.
This development comes against the backdrop of regional tensions: nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan engaged in a brief but deadly clash in May 2025, marking their worst confrontation in decades. Islamabad has also experienced border tensions with Kabul, following Taliban-backed attacks on Pakistani posts.
For the Taliban, the appointment represents a key step in reclaiming control over Afghanistan’s overseas diplomatic missions, as part of their broader drive for international legitimacy.
In October 2025, India announced plans to upgrade its technical mission in Afghanistan to a full embassy, further highlighting its growing attention to Afghan affairs.
To date, Russia remains the only country to formally recognise the Taliban government.
