Taliban Foreign Minister’s Taj Mahal Tour cancelled, Agra Police Point to Delhi

Taliban minister's Taj Mahal visit cancelled: Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi's visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra on Sunday was suddenly cancelled. The officials did not give any reason behind this. Muttaki was planned to spend about two and a half hours at the Taj Mahal and attend lunch at a star-rated hotel near the eastern gate, after which he was to return to Delhi.

Cancellation Order Arrived from Delhi

Agra DCP Sonam Kumar said the instruction to cancel the tour came from Delhi but expressed inability to cite any specific reason. The Senior Conservation Assistant at the Archives Survey (ASI) also confirmed that the tour has been "cancelled." The authorities have not yet given any official explanation for this.

High-level talks and press conferences held in Delhi

Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi reached Delhi on Thursday and is on a six-day visit to India. During this visit, he met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and held high-level talks and a press conference at the Afghan Embassy. No female journalists were allowed to attend this press meet, leading to controversy and speculation that India limited its access. The Ministry of External Affairs clarified that India had no involvement in this press interaction.

First High-Ranking Minister Since Taliban Came to Power

Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi is the first high-ranking minister to visit India four years after the Taliban came to power. However, the Indian government has not formally recognized the Taliban administration. On Saturday he visited Darul Uloom Deoband, a premier Islamic seminary in South Asia, located in the Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh.

India-Afghanistan relations and security issues

Muttaqi's visit came at a time when relations between New Delhi and Kabul remain tense. There are concerns between the two countries regarding cross-border terrorism and regional security issues. The aim of his visit was to improve relations between the two sides and discuss regional matters.

Political and Diplomatic Significance

The sudden cancellation of the Taj Mahal tour has become a topic of discussion from a political and diplomatic point of view. Experts believe that there could be technical, security or diplomatic reasons behind this, but no official explanation has come yet. Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi's visit is considered important in terms of India-Afghanistan cooperation and future strategy.