Afghan Foreign Minister Aamir Khan Muttaki highlighted the bright future of India-Afghanistan relations and indicated positive progress in bilateral relations.
It is noteworthy that Muttaki was warmly welcomed during his visit to Darul Uloom Deoband in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh on Saturday. Meanwhile, in an exclusive conversation with ANI, Muttaqi thanked the Ulemas and people of the area for their warm welcome and appreciated the turnout in large numbers.
Muttaki told ANI, “The journey so far has been very good. Not only the people of Darul Uloom, but all the people of the area have come here. I am grateful to them for the warm welcome they have given me. I am thankful to the Ulema of Deoband and the people of the area for this warm welcome. The future of India-Afghanistan relations looks very bright.”
Muttaqi’s visit reflects the strengthening diplomatic ties between India and Afghanistan. Muttaki’s visit is aimed at strengthening India-Afghanistan relations focusing on economic, security and cultural cooperation.
India has been an important investor in Afghanistan’s development, and the visit is expected to explore ways to enhance economic ties, trade and investment.
India’s engagement with Afghanistan is driven by strategic interests including regional stability and security. The visit is also likely to discuss regional dynamics, including Pakistan’s role in the region and its impact on India-Afghanistan relations.
According to the media in-charge of Darul Uloom Deoband, the Afghan minister reached Uttar Pradesh this morning and at around 3 o’clock he will address a public program where he will address students and the public.
Darul Uloom Deoband, is an Islamic seminary that has produced Islamic scholars from India and across the world. This madrasa was founded in the late 1800s by Syed Muhammad Abid, Fazlur Rehman, Usmai, Mahtab Ali Deobandi and other scholars. Muhammad Qasim Nanautavi laid the foundation stone of the present complex. This school mainly teaches Mankulat.
The Afghan Foreign Minister will also visit the Taj Mahal in Agra on Sunday.
Earlier on October 10, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had detailed discussions with the Afghan Foreign Minister, in which both sides discussed various issues of mutual interest as well as important regional developments.
“The External Affairs Minister reiterated India’s long-standing friendship with the Afghan people and highlighted the deep cultural and historical ties linking the two countries. They expressed India’s continued commitment to support the aspirations and developmental needs of the Afghan people,” the joint statement said.
The statement said they expressed their deep appreciation to Afghanistan for strongly condemning the terrorist attack that took place in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India, on 22 April 2025, and also expressed deep condolences and solidarity with the people and government of India.
Both sides stressed respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The External Affairs Minister appreciated the Afghan side’s understanding of India’s security concerns. The Afghan Foreign Minister reiterated his commitment that the Afghan government will not allow any group or individual to use Afghan soil against India.
Both sides also agreed that India will deepen its partnership in development cooperation projects, especially in the areas of healthcare, public infrastructure and capacity building.
As part of the ongoing healthcare collaboration, several projects are being undertaken, including the establishment of a Thalassemia Centre, a modern diagnostic center and replacing the heating system at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health (IGICH) in Kabul.
It is noteworthy that a 30-bed hospital, an oncology center and a trauma center in Kabul’s Bagrami district as well as five maternity health clinics in Paktika, Khost and Paktia provinces are also planned to be built by India.
