Muttaqi’s Deoband visit seen as shift in South Asia’s Islamic diplomacy

New Delhi, Oct 11: Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to the Darul Uloom Deoband seminary is being viewed as a defining moment in South Asia’s Islamic diplomacy, with observers describing it as a symbolic move to reshape Kabul’s religious and geopolitical orientation.

According to a News18 report, the visit underscores Afghanistan’s intent to reclaim its spiritual roots and distance its Islamic narrative from Pakistan’s clerical establishment.

During his visit, Muttaqi hailed Deoband as the “Madre Ilm” (Mother of Knowledge), noting that Afghanistan continues to draw moral and spiritual guidance from the Indian seminary, which has long inspired Afghan ulema. He stressed that a genuine Deobandi embodies moderation, unity of the Ummah, and peaceful coexistence—values that st