Uttar Pradesh, India — Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi paid a visit to the historic Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband during his official trip to India, marking a significant and symbolic moment in the ongoing engagement between the two neighboring countries.

According to Indian media reports, extraordinary security arrangements were made ahead of the Afghan minister’s arrival at the seminary, located in the Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. Police and security personnel were deployed in large numbers to ensure safety and order during the visit.

Despite the tight security, the minister’s arrival drew a large crowd of students, teachers, and local residents eager to see the Afghan dignitary. The growing crowd reportedly led to brief moments of chaos and disorder, as people attempted to get closer to the minister. Police resorted to baton charging (lathi charge) to disperse the crowd after several individuals breached the security cordon around the visiting delegation.

During his visit, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi held meetings with prominent scholars, including Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani, the Vice Chancellor (Mohtamim) of Darul Uloom Deoband, and Maulana Arshad Madani, President of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind (A group). The discussions reportedly revolved around the promotion of Islamic education, cultural and religious ties between Afghanistan and India, and the role of traditional seminaries in fostering peace and understanding in the Muslim world.

In a notable gesture of honor, Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani presented Amir Khan Muttaqi with an Ijazah (certificate of Hadith narration) — a symbolic recognition traditionally bestowed upon respected scholars and dignitaries.

Darul Uloom Deoband, founded in 1866, is one of the most influential Islamic institutions in South Asia and has long-standing historical links with scholars and students from Afghanistan. Over the decades, it has produced numerous Afghan graduates who have played key roles in the country’s religious and political spheres.

Indian media further reported that currently only 15 Afghan students are enrolled at the seminary — a number significantly lower than in previous years due to recent geopolitical changes and the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan.

The visit, while religious in nature, has drawn widespread attention in both India and Afghanistan for its symbolic diplomatic undertones. Analysts noted that the visit may serve as a step toward fostering soft cultural diplomacy between Kabul and New Delhi, despite the absence of formal recognition of the Taliban-led government by India.

The Afghan minister’s tour of India, including his stop at Darul Uloom Deoband, highlights efforts by the Afghan leadership to build bridges with regional neighbors through cultural and religious engagement, even as political and diplomatic relations remain complex.