India, Oct. 11 -- Afghanistan's foreign minister Maulana Amir Khan Muttaqi visited the Darul Uloom Deoband Islamic seminary in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district on Saturday during his first visit to India since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

The seminary administration made elaborate arrangements to welcome him, issuing a list of 15 prominent Ulema (Islamic scholars) to receive him. Tight security measures were enforced across the area in coordination with national and state agencies.

Muttaqi's convoy departed from Delhi around 8.30 am and reached Deoband by noon. The visit follows his meetings with several Indian officials in Delhi on Friday, as part of his ongoing six-day visit to India.

The welcome ceremony at Darul Uloom ...