Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, who was scheduled to visit India this month, has cancelled his trip as the UN Security Council did not waive the travel ban imposed on him. If the visit had materialized, it would have been the first by any Taliban minister since the group took over Afghanistan from Ashraf Ghani in 2021.
Pakistan Behind the Waiver Rejection
Currently, all Taliban leaders require a waiver to travel abroad. Pakistan heads the 1988 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council, which decides on travel bans, asset freezes, and arms embargoes. Sources aware of the matter said that Pakistan was behind the denial of Muttaqi’s travel to India. The sanctions committee consists of 15 members, and if even one member objects, the waiver can be blocked.
Last Month’s Pakistan Visit Blocked by the US
Earlier last month, when Muttaqi planned to visit Pakistan, the United States objected to his waiver. During a press briefing, Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, was asked about the Taliban leader’s proposed visit. He responded, “As you are aware, we have longstanding ties with the people of Afghanistan. India continues to support the aspirations and developmental needs of the Afghan people. We continue to have engagements with Afghan authorities. If there is an update on this account, we will share it with you.”
Phone Call Between Muttaqi and Jaishankar
Muttaqi’s planned visit to India followed a phone call with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in May, marking the first such interaction after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. As per sources, the waiver of his travel ban was reviewed by the 1988 Sanctions Committee. A similar phone conversation took place between Muttaqi and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in January, and in April, Muttaqi had also condemned the Pahalgam terror attack.