‘Students, patients and businessmen get visas…’, why is Afghanistan extending the hand of friendship to India?

‘Students, patients and businessmen get visas…’, why is Afghanistan extending the hand of friendship to India?

The first high-level meeting took place between India and Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Hours after the meeting, the Taliban announced that they had urged India to issue visas to Afghan businessmen, patients and students. Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Hafiz Zia Ahmed said in a post on X that the request to issue the visas was conveyed by acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaki to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during their meeting in Dubai on Wednesday.

Here are three big problems

Let us tell you that the issue of granting visa is a difficult one and it is a difficult task mainly for three reasons. Firstly, the Indian government does not officially recognize the Taliban government. Second, Indian security and intelligence agencies have flagged security threat perceptions about visa seekers from Afghanistan. Thirdly, the Government of India does not have a functional visa section in the Indian Embassy in Kabul or functional consulates in Afghanistan.

To address Indian security concerns, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaki and the Taliban delegation assured the Indian side that there would be no threat from those traveling to India. The Taliban said they would ensure verification of those granted visas. But this is a very tricky issue for the Indian government as it has been very strict in issuing visas to Afghans since the Taliban took over the country in August 2021.

Sources said Foreign Minister Muttaki had come prepared for the meeting in Dubai. He was also accompanied by officials of the Commerce and Transport Ministry. Sources said the Taliban is aware of India’s hesitation in providing official legitimacy to its rule, but wants solutions to its problems and challenges.