Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaqi concludes six-day India visit
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi wrapped up his six-day visit to India on Wednesday, departing for Kabul after engaging in a series of cultural and diplomatic activities aimed at enhancing bilateral relations, reports 24brussels.
Before leaving, Muttaqi received a sacred shawl and a cap (Fez) from the family of Sheikh-ul-Hind Maulana Mahmud Hasan as a gesture of honor. A video shared by Hafiz Zia Ahmad, Director of Public Communication for the Afghan Foreign Ministry, captured the moment when Muttaqi accepted the gifts. Ahmad remarked on social media, “In India, from the family of Sheikh-ul-Hind Maulana Mahmud Hasan, a piece of his shawl and one of his handcaps were presented to the Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi as a token of honour and blessing.”
په هندوستان کي د شیخ الهند مولنا محمود الحسن رحمه الله کورنۍ د اسلامي امارت د بهرنیو چارو وزیر مولوي امیر خان متقي ته د شیخ الهند رحمه الله د څادر یوه ټوټه او د هغه یوه د سر خولۍ د اعزاز او تبرک لپاره ورکړل. pic.twitter.com/0PBZxV7Ray
— Hafiz Zia Ahmad (@HafizZiaAhmad) October 15, 2025
Muttaqi received a notably warm welcome at the historic Darul Uloom Deoband seminary during his visit, where he expressed gratitude to the community for their hospitality. “The journey has been very good so far. Not just the people of Darul Uloom, but all the people of the area have come here. I am grateful for the warm welcome they extended to me,” he stated, adding that “The future of India-Afghanistan relations seems very bright.”
Established in the late 1800s, Darul Uloom Deoband is renowned for producing Islamic scholars and mainly focuses on teaching traditional Islamic texts. On October 10, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar conducted extensive discussions with Muttaqi, addressing various mutual interests and significant regional developments.
The joint statement issued after their meeting reiterated India’s longstanding friendship with the Afghan people, emphasizing the deep-rooted cultural and historical connections between the two nations. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to support the aspirations and developmental needs of the Afghan population.