Afghanistan has appointed Noor Ahmad Noor as its Charge d’Affaires to the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi, marking a significant diplomatic development nearly five years after the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021. The move comes amid cautious engagement between the two countries, even as India continues to withhold formal recognition of the Taliban government.
Who Is Noor Ahmad Noor?
Noor Ahmad Noor is a senior Taliban figure who previously served as the Director General of the First Political Department at Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He arrived in New Delhi earlier this week to formally take charge at the Afghan Embassy. Notably, he was also part of Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s delegation during the latter’s visit to India in October 2025.
During his India tour, Noor Ahmad Noor visited the Darul Uloom Deoband madrasa, a move that drew attention due to the institution’s historical and religious influence. In December 2025, he also travelled to Bangladesh ahead of its national elections, where he reportedly met several Islamic scholars and leaders, underscoring his growing diplomatic role ahead of the Noor Ahmad Noor appointment India.
How India–Afghanistan Ties Are Evolving
Relations between India and Afghanistan have seen gradual improvement over the past year. On December 20, Afghanistan’s Health Minister Mawlawi Noor Jalali publicly stated that India is emerging as a crucial partner for Afghanistan’s pharmaceutical and medical supplies, especially as Kabul’s ties with Pakistan continue to deteriorate.
This progress followed Muttaqi’s seven-day visit to India in October, during which External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and the Afghan side agreed that India would accept diplomats appointed by the Islamic Emirate to the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi. The understanding paved the way for the Noor Ahmad Noor appointment India, even without official recognition.
As part of this engagement, Afghan nationals can now apply for Indian visas for medical treatment and business purposes, a step seen as humanitarian and pragmatic.
A Delicate Diplomatic Balance
India has consistently maintained that it does not recognise the Taliban regime. In April 2023, an earlier attempt by the Taliban to appoint a Charge d’Affaires in Delhi failed after embassy staff rejected the nominee. Later, Ikramuddin Kamil was successfully posted at the Afghan Consulate in Mumbai.
Until now, Mohammad Ebrahimkhil, appointed during the Ashraf Ghani government, continued as Charge d’Affaires in Delhi. The Noor Ahmad Noor appointment India therefore reflects a calibrated shift rather than a policy reversal.
FAQs
Q: Why is the Noor Ahmad Noor appointment India significant?
A: It marks the first successful Taliban-backed diplomatic posting in Delhi since 2021, showing cautious engagement.
Q: Does India recognise the Taliban after the Noor Ahmad Noor appointment India?
A: No, India still does not formally recognise the Taliban government.
Q: Who is Noor Ahmad Noor?
A: He is a senior Taliban official and former political director at Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry.
Q: What changes for Afghan citizens after this appointment?
A: Afghans can now apply for Indian visas for medical treatment and business travel.
