Afghanistan’s Taliban government posts a charge d’affaires to its embassy in Delhi, marking a significant step in bilateral engagement.
NEW DELHI: Afghanistan’s Taliban government has appointed its first senior official to India since returning to power in 2021.
Noor Ahmad Noor, a Taliban foreign ministry official, has assumed the role of charge d’affaires to lead their embassy in Delhi.
The Afghan embassy stated that Noor has already held meetings with Indian officials.
“Both sides emphasised the importance of strengthening Afghanistan–India relations,” the embassy said in a post on X.
India has not officially recognised the Taliban government but has not commented on the new appointment.
A photograph of Noor meeting senior Indian foreign ministry official Anand Prakash was posted by the Afghan embassy.
The move signals a deepening engagement between New Delhi and Kabul.
India is seeking to exploit divisions between Islamabad and the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
This diplomatic step occurs despite the Taliban’s strict Islamic law contrasting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government.
The appointment is significant for the Taliban’s broader push for international legitimacy.
The group has sought to reclaim control over Afghanistan’s overseas diplomatic missions.
In October, India said it would upgrade its technical mission in Afghanistan to a full embassy.
Russia remains the only country to have officially recognised the Afghan Taliban government.
