Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Islamic Emirate to hold first Victory Day event in Delhi
A new government in Afghanistan, called the Islamic Emirate, is planning a special party at its embassy in New Delhi.
The party celebrates 'Victory Day', which marks the day this government took over Afghanistan in 2021.
It will happen on 17 August, and the person hosting it is the Afghan diplomat Noor Ahmed Noor.
Many people are invited, including diplomats, Afghan people living in India, and possibly Indian officials.
India has been talking and working with Afghanistan more and more.
Even so, India has not officially said it accepts the Afghan government as the country's real leaders.
India says the two countries have old, friendly ties and want to work together on trade and other things.
Afghanistan celebrated the same holiday with parades and flags in its capital city, Kabul.
India also gave 150 crore rupees to help Afghanistan and upgraded its office there to a full embassy.
The two countries are becoming closer, but India is still being careful about officially recognizing the new Afghan government.
Afghanistan's Islamic Emirate will host its first public reception in India to mark 'Victory Day' at the Afghan embassy in New Delhi on 17 August, hosted by chargé d'affaires Noor Ahmed Noor.
The event comes as India expands engagement with the Islamic Emirate while stopping short of formal recognition of its administration.
India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal cited recent ministerial visits and strengthened partnership in development cooperation, trade and connectivity.
Victory Day commemorates the Taliban's return to Kabul on 15 August 2021 after the withdrawal of US-led NATO forces; Afghanistan marked the fifth anniversary with celebrations in Kabul.
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi visited New Delhi in October 2025, India upgraded its Kabul mission to a full embassy, and India allocated ₹150 crore for Afghanistan in its latest budget.
- Who
- Afghanistan's Islamic Emirate government, represented by Afghan chargé d'affaires Noor Ahmed Noor, with India's Ministry of External Affairs under spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal; Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is also noted.
- What
- The Islamic Emirate's first public 'Victory Day' reception at the Afghan embassy in New Delhi, amid expanding India-Afghanistan engagement without formal recognition.
- When
- Scheduled for 17 August, following the fifth anniversary of the Taliban's return to Kabul on 15 August 2021.
- Where
- Afghan embassy in New Delhi, India; commemorative events also took place in Kabul, Afghanistan.
- Why
- India and Afghanistan are strengthening ties through development cooperation, trade and connectivity, even as India stops short of formally recognizing the Islamic Emirate administration.
Engagement despite non-recognition
Formal recognition concerns
Hosting a Victory Day event
Engagement despite non-recognition
India hosting the event reflects deepening bilateral ties and practical engagement with Afghanistan's current rulers; officials describe growing partnership in development, trade and connectivity.
Formal recognition concerns
Holding an Islamic Emirate Victory Day reception in Delhi could be seen as legitimizing a government that most of the international community has not recognized, complicating India's stated non-recognition position.
Non-recognition vs. expanding ties
Engagement despite non-recognition
India can strengthen humanitarian, trade and connectivity cooperation with Afghanistan without extending formal recognition, as it has done through ministerial visits and embassy staffing.
Formal recognition concerns
Expanding engagement, upgrading the Kabul mission and permitting Islamic Emirate diplomats to staff Indian missions risks effectively recognizing the administration before meeting conditions set by the international community.
- Event
- First Islamic Emirate public Victory Day reception in India
- Date
- 17 August (event in New Delhi); Victory Day anniversary is 15 August
- Location
- Afghan embassy, New Delhi, India
- Host
- Noor Ahmed Noor, Afghan chargé d'affaires
- Victory Day commemorates
- Taliban's return to Kabul on 15 August 2021 after US-led NATO withdrawal
- India's position
- No formal recognition of Islamic Emirate, but growing engagement
- India's budget allocation
- ₹150 crore for Afghanistan
- Notable diplomatic milestone
- Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi visited Delhi in October 2025; India upgraded Kabul mission to full embassy