Taliban minister's Taj Mahal visit called off (Image source: ANI)
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra on Sunday was cancelled at the last minute, with officials giving no reason for the sudden change.
Muttaqi was expected to spend around an hour and a half at the monument and attend a lunch at a star-category hotel near the eastern gate before returning to Delhi. A senior conservation assistant from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), posted at the Taj Mahal, confirmed that the visit had been “called off.” Authorities have not provided any explanation for the cancellation, reported Hindustan Times.
The Taliban minister arrived in New Delhi on Thursday and is on a six-day visit to India. During his stay, he held high-level talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the Afghanistan embassy, followed by a press conference. The event sparked controversy after no women journalists were allowed at the press meet. However, the Ministry of External Affairs clarified on Saturday that it had “no involvement” in the Afghan foreign minister’s press interaction in Delhi.
Amir Muttaqi is the first high-ranking Taliban minister to visit India since the group took control of Afghanistan four years ago, even though the Indian government has not formally recognised the Taliban administration.
Before his scheduled visit to the Taj Mahal, Kabul’s foreign minister also visited Darul Uloom Deoband in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur district on Saturday. The seminary is one of South Asia’s most prominent Islamic institutions.
Muttaqi’s visit comes at a time when ties between India and Afghanistan remain delicate, influenced by regional security concerns and tensions with Pakistan over cross-border terrorism. Officials say the trip is aimed at strengthening diplomatic channels and discussing key bilateral issues.
Shivam Verma is a journalist with over three years of experience in digital newsrooms. He currently works at NewsX, having previously worked for Firstpost and DNA India. A postgraduate diploma holder in Integrated Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, Shivam focuses on international affairs, diplomacy, defence, and politics. Beyond the newsroom, he is passionate about football—both playing and watching—and enjoys travelling to explore new places and cuisines.
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