Amir Khan Muttaqi, the foreign minister of Afghanistan, has been granted permission by the UN Security Council to visit New Delhi, India, from October 9–16, 2025, despite being prohibited from traveling. This choice was made in accordance with Security Council resolution 1988 (2011), which sanctions top Taliban commanders but permits exceptions on an individual basis for official obligations or critical humanitarian situations.
Despite the international community’s ongoing concerns, the exemption highlights the delicate diplomatic interactions India is anticipated to have with the Taliban government.
This decision comes after earlier in 2025, when similar exemptions were granted. Another Taliban official under sanctions, Khairullah Khairkhwah, was allowed by the UN to go to Moscow in July for immediate medical care.
Abdul Salam Hanafi was authorized to travel to Doha, Qatar, in August for medical reasons as well. These examples demonstrate how the UN maintains a balance between rigorous enforcement and practical engagement by making selective concessions in response to particular demands, even when sanctions are still in effect.
The timing of Muttaqi’s trip to India is significant because Afghanistan is currently experiencing serious internal problems. In addition to recent natural calamities and political repression, the nation has been dealing with a worsening humanitarian situation.
The need for international humanitarian assistance and collaboration has increased since the most recent 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan. International aid is nonetheless made more difficult by the Taliban’s domestic policies, especially those that target women and civil society organizations.
On the social front, authorities in Afghanistan shut down the internet and phone services for 72 hours, resulting in a communications blackout that affected the whole country. Global internet monitor Netblocks claims that the blackout isolated the entire country, which is unprecedented during Taliban administration.
The declared explanation was a crackdown on “immoral activities,” but the consequences were far-reaching, hampering humanitarian collaboration, halting internet education projects, and stifling public opposition. Services were restored only three days after being isolated.
The Taliban rules continue to disproportionately harm women. Since 2021, the leadership has pushed down women’s rights in employment, education, and social involvement. Female UN employees were barred from entering the office in September 2025, adding to previous restrictions on women working in NGOs and international agencies.
Girls have been excluded from high school education since 2021, and universities closed their doors to women in late 2022. The recent statewide internet blackout threatens Afghan women’s last remaining outlets for online study and global connectivity.
India’s participation in hosting Muttaqi during this tough period would be critically monitored. While New Delhi has not formally accepted the Taliban administration, it has maintained limited contact channels, largely to address humanitarian concerns and regional security.
This visit could provide an opportunity for India to balance its humanitarian aid commitments with its long-standing security worries, particularly cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghan territory.
