Deoband, India — Saturday:
In a historic and symbolic visit, Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan visited Darul Uloom Deoband, one of the subcontinent’s oldest and most prestigious Islamic seminaries. The visit marked a significant gesture of goodwill amid ongoing discussions to strengthen diplomatic and educational ties between India and Afghanistan.
Muttaqi was received with warmth and respect by the seminary’s scholars, professors, and students. Large crowds from Deoband and surrounding areas gathered to welcome the Afghan delegation, reflecting the deep religious and cultural bonds shared between the two nations.
“The visit has been very positive so far,” Muttaqi said. “Not only the scholars and students of Darul Uloom Deoband, but also the people from the surrounding areas have come to welcome us. I thank them for their warm hospitality. The future of India-Afghanistan relations looks very bright.”
The Afghan minister’s visit to Deoband followed his meeting with India’s Foreign Minister in New Delhi, where both sides discussed expanding political and economic cooperation, including the possible reopening of the Indian Embassy in Kabul — a move seen as a major step toward normalization of bilateral ties.
During the Deoband visit, Maulana Arshad Madani, President of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, emphasized the historical and academic connection between India and Afghanistan.
“Our connection with Afghanistan is academic and educational,” Madani said. “They also played a role in our freedom struggle. Just as we defeated Britain, once the world’s greatest power, they too defeated global powers like Russia and the United States in Afghanistan.”
Political analyst Sayed Hamed Hosseini described the event as “symbolically powerful,” adding that “Darul Uloom Deoband is a historic and respected center of the Hanafi school of thought, and millions around the world hold it in high regard.”
The visit is being interpreted by regional observers as a sign of the Taliban government’s diplomatic outreach toward India, seeking broader engagement in trade, education, and humanitarian cooperation — areas long considered neutral yet vital for regional stability.
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