Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Taliban Envoy Marks Victory Day in Delhi, Urges India Ties
A man named Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor works for the Taliban government of Afghanistan.
He is in charge of Afghanistan's embassy in New Delhi, India.
On Monday, he gave a speech to celebrate the day the Taliban came back to power in Afghanistan five years ago.
He said Afghanistan is now peaceful and stable.
He told India that the two countries should be good friends and work together.
He talked about new projects like a gas pipeline and an electricity line that could help Afghanistan grow.
He also said Afghanistan wants to be a bridge between countries, not a battleground.
But things are not peaceful everywhere.
Afghanistan and its neighbour Pakistan are fighting, and many people have been hurt.
India is talking more with Afghanistan but has not officially recognised the Taliban government.
Taliban-appointed Chargé d'Affaires Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor addressed an event in New Delhi marking the fifth anniversary of the Taliban's return to power.
Noor said Afghanistan has 'left the chapter of war behind' and called for stronger political trust and economic partnership with India.
He cited progress on the TAPI gas pipeline and CASA-1000 electricity project as foundations for Afghanistan's economic growth and regional connectivity.
The speech came as Kabul-Islamabad relations deteriorated into what Pakistan's defence minister called 'open war,' with at least 372 Afghan civilians killed in Q1 2026 per the UN.
India upgraded its Kabul technical mission to a full embassy after Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi's October 2025 visit, though it has not formally recognised the Taliban.
- Who
- Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor, the Taliban-appointed Chargé d'Affaires at the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi, addressing an audience that included Dr. Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary in India's Ministry of External Affairs.
- What
- A speech marking the fifth anniversary of the Taliban's return to power, celebrating Afghanistan's 'stability' and calling for deeper engagement with India.
- When
- Monday, August 15 (the 24th of Asad in the Afghan calendar), on the fifth anniversary of the Taliban's return to power.
- Where
- Afghan Embassy in New Delhi, India.
- Why
- To celebrate Afghanistan's stability under Taliban rule and to call for deeper India-Afghanistan engagement amid deteriorating Kabul-Islamabad relations.
Taliban Government
Critics and Pakistan
Afghanistan's stability and governance
Taliban Government
The Taliban envoy says Afghanistan has left war behind and is achieving stability, reconstruction, and economic growth under 'prudent and unified leadership.'
Critics and Pakistan
The Afghan opposition group National Resistance Council criticised the embassy handover as 'contrary to the ground realities in Afghanistan.'
Cross-border conflict with Pakistan
Taliban Government
Kabul denies sheltering Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militants and says Afghanistan's geography should be a bridge for connectivity, not a battleground.
Critics and Pakistan
Islamabad accuses the Taliban of sheltering TTP militants and launched 'Operation Ghazab lil-Haq,' with Pakistan's defence minister calling the situation 'open war.'
- Event
- Fifth anniversary of the Taliban's return to power (Victory Day)
- Speaker
- Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor, Taliban-appointed Chargé d'Affaires
- Location
- Afghan Embassy, New Delhi
- Chief Guest
- Dr. Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs
- Date
- August 15 (24th of Asad in the Afghan calendar)
- Afghan civilians killed in Q1 2026
- At least 372, per the UN
- India's recognition of Taliban
- Not formally recognised
- Noor installed as CDA
- January 2026
