Abdul Haq Wasiq, the Taliban’s intelligence chief, made a highly confidential and unannounced visit to India about 10 days ago, meeting Indian security and political officials, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke to IRAF.
The visit took place amid escalating security tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan, with relations between Kabul and Islamabad reaching one of their lowest points in recent months.
Details of Wasiq’s visit, including the nature of his talks and any possible agreements between Taliban and Indian intelligence officials, have not been made public. Senior Taliban officials have previously travelled to India during periods of heightened tensions with Pakistan.
The source said the trip was planned in “complete secrecy” and, unlike several recent publicised visits by Taliban officials, was not officially announced.
Wasiq’s Secretive Foreign Contacts
Wasiq has made several undisclosed trips to Qatar in recent years, where he took part in behind-the-scenes Taliban meetings with the United States and several regional countries.
He has also held confidential meetings with foreign delegations inside Afghanistan, usually without official announcements, as part of what has been described as the Taliban’s discreet network of external contacts.
Wasiq Remains Under U.N. Sanctions
Under the United Nations Security Council’s 1988 sanctions list, Abdul Haq Wasiq remains subject to international sanctions, including a travel ban, an asset freeze and an arms embargo.
The measures remained in place in the latest update to the sanctions list, meaning any foreign travel by Wasiq would require authorization from the U.N. Security Council.
Why India?
Media reports indicate that relations between the Taliban and India have expanded significantly over the past two years, with New Delhi pursuing what has been described as a policy of “cautious engagement” and hosting several senior Taliban officials.
Recent visits to India by Taliban ministers Amir Khan Muttaqi, Nooruddin Azizi, Noor Jalal Jalali and Attaullah Omari have highlighted growing diplomatic contacts between the two sides.
During this period, India has expanded cooperation with Afghanistan in trade and healthcare while also condemning Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory and expressing support for Afghanistan’s “national sovereignty.” The position has been welcomed by the Taliban and has contributed to closer ties between Kabul and New Delhi.
Visit Comes Amid Crisis with Pakistan
Wasiq’s secret trip comes as tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan have intensified, with Islamabad repeatedly accusing Kabul of providing shelter to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an allegation the Taliban deny.
The Taliban, in turn, have described Pakistani airstrikes as a “violation of national sovereignty,” while some Taliban officials have accused Islamabad of “provocative behaviour.”
Regional analysts say India has sought to deepen its ties with the Taliban whenever relations between Kabul and Islamabad deteriorate. Wasiq has reported secret visit could mark a new stage in that process.
