Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s planned visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra on Sunday was canceled at the last minute, with officials not providing any reason for the sudden change. Muttaqi was scheduled to spend approximately an hour and a half at the magnificent monument and was expected to have lunch at a nearby star-category hotel before heading back to Delhi.
A senior conservation assistant from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) stationed at the Taj Mahal confirmed that the visit had been canceled. Authorities have yet to offer any explanation for the decision.
The Taliban minister arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a six-day tour of India. During his visit, he held high-level discussions with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the Afghanistan embassy, followed by a press conference. This press event drew controversy when no women journalists were permitted to attend, leading to speculation about access restrictions imposed by India. However, the Ministry of External Affairs clarified on Saturday that they had no involvement in the Afghan foreign minister’s press interactions in Delhi.
Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit marks the first time a high-ranking Taliban minister has visited India since the group took control of Afghanistan four years ago, despite India not formally recognizing the Taliban administration.
Earlier on Saturday, the Afghan foreign minister visited Darul Uloom Deoband in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, a renowned Islamic seminary in South Asia.
This visit to India occurs amidst a backdrop of strained relations between New Delhi and Kabul, and with Islamabad, concerning issues like cross-border terrorism and regional security.