India-Afghanistan Ties: Muttaqi’s Symbolic Visit to Deoband

Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, made a significant pilgrimage to the Darul Uloom Deoband seminary in Uttar Pradesh, marking a key moment in his first visit to India since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. This trip is rich with historical, religious, and diplomatic implications, signaling a potential opening in relations between India and the Taliban regime. Muttaqi received a warm and elaborate welcome at the seminary, a testament to the deep-rooted connections. A delegation of prominent Islamic scholars greeted him, and security was heightened across the region. The rector, Maulana Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani, led the proceedings, with students and faculty showing great enthusiasm. A notable academic achievement for Muttaqi was his participation in a Hadith study session, followed by his being granted permission to teach the tradition. This led to him receiving a Sanad, a certificate of authority, and the prestigious academic title “Qasmi,” formally connecting him to the Deoband legacy. He is now recognized as Maulana Amir Khan Muttaqi Qasmi. Maulana Arshad Madani of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind spoke about the existing academic relationship between Afghanistan and Deoband, describing Muttaqi’s visit as a homecoming. Muttaqi conveyed his gratitude for the hospitality, expressing optimism for improved India-Afghanistan relations and extending an invitation for Indian officials to visit Kabul. As the highest-ranking Taliban official to visit India since 2021, Muttaqi’s interactions, including a meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, underscore India’s careful diplomatic engagement. Muttaqi emphasized Deoband’s role as a central Islamic institution with a long-standing connection to Afghanistan, hoping to foster continued religious educational exchanges. The historical importance of Darul Uloom Deoband, founded in the late 19th century, as a leading center for Islamic learning in South Asia, provides critical context. The seminary’s educational programs, which include studying Hindu religion to promote cultural understanding, reflect its broad outlook. The significant influence of Deoband on Afghan religious scholars and leaders reinforces the deep historical and ideological ties between the two regions. Muttaqi’s visit to Deoband serves as a strategic gesture, reinforcing cultural diplomacy and strengthening vital communication channels.