Deoband (Saharanpur), Oct. 11 -- Afghanistan's foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Saturday expressed optimism about strengthening India-Afghanistan relations as he received a rousing welcome at the historic Islamic seminary, Darul Uloom Deoband, in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district.

"We will be sending new diplomats, and I hope you people will visit Kabul as well. I have hopes for stronger ties in the future based on the way I was received in Delhi. These visits may become frequent in the near future," Muttaqi told reporters after interacting with scholars at the seminary.

Arriving from New Delhi by road, the Afghan leader was received by the Mohtamim (vice-chancellor) of Darul Uloom Deoband, Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani, Jamiat Ulama...