# Afghan Foreign Minister's Visit to Darul Uloom Deoband: A Bridge for Stronger India-Afghanistan Ties?
**By Grok Insights | October 11, 2025**
In a move that underscores the deep-rooted cultural and religious connections between India and Afghanistan, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi visited the historic Darul Uloom Deoband Islamic seminary in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district today. Arriving amid tight security and a warm floral welcome, Muttaqi expressed optimism about deepening bilateral relations with India, signaling a potential thaw in diplomatic engagements four years after the Taliban's return to power in Kabul. This six-day visit, the first by a senior Taliban official to India since 2021, blends diplomacy, education, and shared Islamic heritage, offering a glimpse into how religious institutions could play a pivotal role in regional reconciliation.
## The Historic Visit: A Warm Reception in Deoband
Muttaqi's convoy rolled into Deoband around noon, departing from New Delhi earlier in the morning after high-level meetings with Indian officials, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The seminary's rector, Maulana Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani, and Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani led the reception, showering the delegation with flowers and traditional honors. Thousands of students and scholars gathered, creating an atmosphere of reverence, though a planned public address by the minister was canceled for security reasons.
During private interactions with the ulema (Islamic scholars), Muttaqi discussed easing educational visas for Afghan students wishing to study at Deoband, highlighting the seminary's role as a "spiritual center" for Afghanistan. In a poignant moment, he sought and received permission to teach Hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad), earning him a prestigious *Hadith Sanad*—a certificate of scholarly authority—from Nomani. The minister also gained the right to use the title "Qasmi," further cementing his ties to Deobandi scholarship.
Speaking to reporters afterward, Muttaqi's words carried a tone of gratitude and hope: "I hope that India-Afghanistan ties advance further. We will be sending new diplomats, and I hope you people will visit Kabul as well. I have hopes for stronger ties in the future—from the way I was received in Delhi, these visits may be frequent in the near future." His enthusiasm was echoed on social media, where users shared images of the welcome and speculated on the discussions held behind closed doors.
## Darul Uloom Deoband: A Beacon of Islamic Learning and Afghan Affinity
Established in 1866 in the wake of the 1857 Indian Rebellion against British rule, Darul Uloom Deoband has long been a cornerstone of Sunni Islamic education, emphasizing Hanafi jurisprudence and anti-colonial resistance. Its curriculum has influenced madrasas across South Asia and beyond, producing scholars who shaped movements for independence and reform. Today, it enrolls thousands of students from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and other nations, fostering a global network of Deobandi thought.
The institution's links to Afghanistan run deep, dating back over a century. Afghan scholars have historically studied and taught at Deoband, spreading its teachings to Kabul and beyond. Notably, Maulana Abdul Haq, founder of Pakistan's Darul Uloom Haqqania (often called the "University of the Taliban" for educating many Taliban leaders), was a Deoband alumnus who lectured there before the 1947 Partition. His son, Sami-ul-Haq, earned the moniker "Father of the Taliban" due to the seminary's role in grooming commanders. While these connections have sparked controversy—given the Taliban's complex history with militancy—the visit today reframes them as bridges of education and peace.
Muttaqi himself invoked this legacy, telling media that Deoband is "a big centre for the Islamic world… and Afghanistan and Deoband are connected." The Taliban regime traces its ideological roots to the Indian Deobandi tradition, viewing the visit as an opportunity to assert authenticity and distance from Pakistani influences. As one X post noted, the seminary's doors remain "open to all," welcoming Afghan students to study and contribute to mutual understanding.
## Diplomatic Context: Navigating a Delicate Thaw
This visit caps a series of engagements during Muttaqi's India trip, which began on October 10. On Friday, he held "wide-ranging talks" with Jaishankar, focusing on humanitarian aid, trade, mining opportunities, and water management projects—reminders of India's pre-2021 investments in Afghanistan, like the Salma Dam and wheat shipments. India, which withdrew its embassy staff after the Taliban's 2021 takeover, reinstated a technical team in Kabul in 2022 but has not formally recognized the regime. Jaishankar's remarks praised Afghanistan's invitation to Indian firms for mining ventures, hinting at economic pragmatism amid geopolitical shifts.
Yet, challenges persist. Pakistan's accusations of Afghan "terrorism exports" were brushed aside by Muttaqi, who emphasized Deoband's peaceful role. Security was paramount today, with intelligence agencies coordinating extensively. Critics on platforms like X question the optics of engaging the Taliban, but supporters see it as a step toward stability, especially with shared concerns over extremism.
## Broader Implications: Education as a Pathway to Peace?
Muttaqi's Deoband stopover isn't just symbolic—it's strategic. By prioritizing educational ties, the Taliban signals a desire to move beyond conflict narratives, inviting Afghan youth to India for studies that could foster long-term goodwill. This aligns with India's "Neighborhood First" policy, which has historically emphasized soft power through scholarships and infrastructure.
For Deoband, the visit reinforces its global stature, echoing King Zahir Shah's 1958 trip to the seminary—a reminder of Afghanistan's pre-Taliban affinity with Indian Islam. As Maulana Arshad Madani put it, the connection is "scholarly and educational," with Deoband as Afghanistan's "Madar-e-Ilmi" (mother of knowledge).
## Looking Ahead: Frequent Exchanges on the Horizon?
As Muttaqi's visit wraps up—limited to one day at Deoband due to his schedule—the echoes of his hopeful words linger. If his optimism translates into action, we could see more diplomats, students, and collaborations crossing borders. In a region scarred by decades of strife, such gestures remind us that shared heritage can heal divides.
India-Afghanistan relations have weathered storms before; this chapter might just chart a steadier course. As one observer on X quipped, "What subjects they must have talked during this meeting?"—perhaps the real answer lies in the quiet forging of futures.
*What do you think—can religious diplomacy unlock new doors? Share your views below.*
**Sources and Further Reading:**
- [The Hindu: Afghan Foreign Minister Visits Darul Uloom Deoband](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/uttar-pradesh/afghan-foreign-minister-visits-darul-uloom-deoband-islamic-seminary-says-hopeful-of-stronger-ties-with-india/article70151706.ece)
- [Hindustan Times: Afghan Minister Receives ‘Sanad’](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/afghan-minister-amir-khan-muttaqi-visits-darul-uloom-deoband-receives-sanad-101760175931872.html)
- [LiveMint: Taliban FM's Visit Unveils Historical Ties](https://www.livemint.com/news/india/taliban-fm-amir-khan-muttaqi-visits-darul-uloom-deoband-whats-the-islamic-seminarys-link-with-afghanistan-11760158099139.html)
- Live updates from X (formerly Twitter) on the event.
