Noor Ahmad Noor Appointed Afghanistan’s First Envoy in India Since Taliban Takeover

Afghanistan has appointed Noor Ahmad Noor (also referred to as Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor) as its Charge d'Affaires to the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi, marking the first Taliban-appointed diplomat to take charge of the mission since the group's takeover of Kabul in August 2021. The senior official from the Taliban-run Ministry of Foreign Affairs arrived in the Indian capital on January 10, 2026, to assume his duties. This development follows months of gradual diplomatic engagement between India and the Taliban administration, including a key visit by Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to New Delhi in October 2025, where discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar paved the way for this arrangement.

Noor Ahmad Noor, who previously served as Director General of the First Political Department at Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was part of Muttaqi's delegation during the October visit. His appointment as acting head of the embassy represents a significant step in resuming operational diplomatic representation at the mission level. Sources indicate that he has not yet formally presented his credentials, and for the time being, the pre-Taliban Afghan tricolour flag continues to fly over the embassy, with existing staff remaining in place. India does not officially recognize the Taliban government but has maintained pragmatic engagement focused on humanitarian aid, health cooperation, and regional stability.

The move comes amid evolving bilateral ties, with India providing consistent humanitarian support to Afghanistan, including medical assistance and pharmaceuticals, especially as Kabul seeks alternatives amid strained relations with Pakistan. This posting signals a cautious thaw in interactions, building on earlier agreements that allowed Taliban-appointed diplomats to manage Afghan consulates in cities like Mumbai and Hyderabad. It highlights India's strategic interest in fostering stability in its neighborhood while navigating the complex post-2021 Afghan landscape.

This appointment underscores the challenges and opportunities in India's Afghanistan policy nearly five years after the Taliban resurgence. While formal recognition remains absent, practical cooperation in areas like trade, connectivity, and counter-terrorism continues to drive engagement. The development has drawn attention from regional observers, who view it as part of broader shifts in South Asian diplomacy.

Overall, Noor Ahmad Noor's arrival represents a milestone in Afghanistan-India relations under the current Taliban administration, potentially opening channels for further dialogue on mutual concerns such as security and economic reconstruction. Authorities on both sides are expected to monitor the transition closely as the embassy adapts to this new phase of representation.