Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s Historic Visit to Darul Uloom Deoband Marks New Phase in India–Afghanistan Relations
Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government, made a significant visit to Darul Uloom Deoband, a renowned Islamic seminary in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. This visit, part of a six-day official trip to India from October 9 to October 16, marked a historic moment as the first high-level Taliban engagement in India since the group’s return to power in 2021. Facilitated by a temporary exemption from the UN Security Council’s Taliban Sanctions Committee, Muttaqi’s visit to Deoband highlighted the deep ideological and historical ties between Afghanistan and the Deobandi movement, while also signaling a new chapter in India-Afghanistan relations.
Background and Context
Muttaqi’s trip to India began on October 9, 2025, with his arrival in New Delhi, where he held high-level discussions with India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, on October 10. The talks focused on critical issues such as security, trade, counter-terrorism, and regional stability. India reiterated its stance that Afghan soil must not be used for terrorist activities, a concern rooted in the region’s complex security dynamics. In response, Muttaqi assured that the Taliban government was committed to preventing Afghanistan from becoming a haven for international terrorist groups. Addressing the media, he emphasized the Taliban’s vision of a “strong Islamic Emirate” free from external threats.
The visit to Darul Uloom Deoband on October 11 was a carefully planned stop, reflecting the seminary’s profound influence on Afghan religious and political thought. Founded in 1866, Darul Uloom Deoband is one of South Asia’s most prestigious Islamic institutions, known for shaping the Deobandi school of Sunni Islam. This movement, emphasizing Islamic reform, strict adherence to Hanafi jurisprudence, and anti-colonial resistance, has significantly influenced Afghanistan’s religious landscape. Many Taliban leaders, as well as scholars from seminaries like Darul Uloom Haqqania in Pakistan, trace their intellectual lineage to Deoband’s teachings. The institution is often referred to as the “spiritual center” (roohani markaz) for the Deobandi movement, making Muttaqi’s visit both symbolically and diplomatically significant.
Muttaqi framed the visit as an effort to “reconnect and restore historic ties” between Afghanistan and Deoband, distancing the Taliban from Pakistan’s Deobandi networks and asserting ideological independence. The visit was described as an act of “religious diplomacy,” underscoring the Taliban’s attempt to present themselves as legitimate heirs to a scholarly tradition rather than merely a militant group.
Details of the Visit
Arrival and Reception
Muttaqi arrived at Darul Uloom Deoband at approximately 11:00 AM IST on October 11, 2025, for a four-hour visit. He was warmly welcomed by the seminary’s leadership, including Rector Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani, the Mohtamim (chancellor), and Maulana Arshad Madani, President of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, a prominent Deobandi-affiliated organization. The reception was marked by a sense of camaraderie, reflecting the long-standing educational and scholarly connections between Afghanistan and the institution. Maulana Arshad Madani referred to Deoband as the Taliban’s “Madar-e-Ilmi” (intellectual cradle), highlighting its role in shaping Afghan Islamic scholarship.
Interactions with Students and Faculty
During his visit, Muttaqi engaged with approximately 12 Afghan students enrolled in the Daura-e-Hadith program, a prestigious year-long course focused on advanced Hadith studies. These students represent a continuation of the historical flow of Afghan scholars to Deoband, a tradition dating back to the 19th century. Muttaqi’s interactions were described as cordial, with discussions centered on the importance of Islamic education and the role of Deoband in fostering scholarly exchange.
He also toured the seminary’s historic library, one of the largest repositories of Islamic manuscripts in South Asia, which houses rare texts on theology, jurisprudence, and Hadith. The visit to the library underscored the Taliban’s interest in reinforcing their scholarly credentials through association with Deoband’s intellectual legacy.
Public Address
At 3:00 PM IST, Muttaqi delivered a public address to an audience of students, faculty, and local community members. In his speech, he expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and emphasized the shared history between Afghanistan and Darul Uloom Deoband. He voiced hope for increased Afghan student enrollment at the seminary, signaling a desire to strengthen educational ties. The address was well-received, with attendees noting Muttaqi’s focus on unity and mutual respect.
Security Arrangements
Given the high-profile and sensitive nature of the visit, extensive security measures were put in place. Local police, in coordination with intelligence agencies, deployed comprehensive security arrangements around the seminary. The presence of security personnel ensured a smooth and incident-free visit, reflecting India’s cautious approach to hosting a Taliban official.
Significance of the Visit
Historical and Ideological Ties
The visit to Darul Uloom Deoband holds profound significance due to the seminary’s historical influence on Afghanistan. Since its founding, Deoband has been a beacon of Islamic scholarship, attracting students from across the Muslim world, including Afghanistan. Afghan scholars who studied at Deoband in the 19th and 20th centuries played a key role in spreading Deobandi ideas, which later influenced the Taliban’s ideological framework. By visiting Deoband, Muttaqi sought to reaffirm these ties, positioning the Taliban as a movement rooted in scholarly tradition rather than solely in militancy.
The visit also served to distinguish the Taliban’s Afghan identity from Pakistan’s Deobandi networks, particularly seminaries like Darul Uloom Haqqania, often dubbed the “Taliban’s university.” By engaging directly with Deoband, the Taliban signaled a desire to reclaim their intellectual heritage independently of Pakistani influence.
Diplomatic Implications
Muttaqi’s visit is a milestone in India-Afghanistan relations, which have been cautious but pragmatic since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover. India has provided humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, including food, medicine, and educational support, but has stopped short of formally recognizing the Taliban government. The Deoband visit offers India an opportunity for “theological engagement,” a soft-power approach to influence Taliban policies, particularly on contentious issues like women’s rights and governance inclusivity.
However, the visit has sparked debate in India. Supporters view it as a pragmatic step to engage with Afghanistan’s de facto government and secure India’s regional interests, especially in countering terrorism. Critics, however, argue that hosting a Taliban official risks legitimizing a regime with a controversial human rights record, particularly its restrictions on women’s education and employment.
Regional and Global Context
The visit comes amid growing international pressure on the Taliban to moderate its policies. Countries like India, China, and Russia have engaged with the Taliban to varying degrees, driven by strategic interests in regional stability and counter-terrorism. Muttaqi’s visit to Deoband, coupled with his meetings in New Delhi, reflects the Taliban’s efforts to gain international legitimacy while maintaining their Islamic identity.
Post-Deoband Itinerary
Following the Deoband visit, Muttaqi’s itinerary included a visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra on October 12, 2025, showcasing India’s cultural heritage. On October 13, he was scheduled to engage with Indian business leaders through the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) to explore trade opportunities. Additional engagements included addresses at think tanks like the Vivekananda International Foundation and meetings with Afghan diaspora communities in India, underscoring the multifaceted nature of his trip.
Public and Media Reactions
Recent posts on X captured live footage of Muttaqi’s arrival at Darul Uloom Deoband, with clips showing a warm reception and excerpts from his address. Indian media outlets reported mixed reactions, with some praising the visit as a bold diplomatic move and others questioning its implications. Afghan diaspora members expressed cautious optimism, hoping the visit would foster educational exchanges and improve bilateral ties.
Conclusion
Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to Darul Uloom Deoband on October 11, 2025, was a landmark event, blending religious diplomacy with strategic outreach. By reconnecting with the intellectual cradle of the Deobandi movement, the Taliban sought to reinforce their scholarly legitimacy while strengthening ties with India. For India, the visit offered a chance to engage with Afghanistan’s leadership through a unique lens of shared history and ideology. As the Taliban navigates global isolation and India balances pragmatic diplomacy with domestic concerns, the Deoband visit will likely remain a pivotal moment in shaping future bilateral relations.
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