At Afghan embassy, Taliban diplomats mark 5th anniversary of ‘victory day’

On a warm evening at the Afghan embassy in Delhi's Chanakyapuri diplomatic area, diplomats gathered to commemorate the Taliban's 5th "victory day" anniversary. The event, hosted by Taliban chargé d'affaires Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor, marked an unprecedented occurrence for India's diplomatic history, as it was the first time the Taliban marked the occasion in India.

Indian officials and foreign diplomats, numbering around two dozen, attended the gathering. The Taliban took control of the Afghan embassy in November of the previous year, following their Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi's meetings with India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The two sides decided to improve relations, with the Taliban sending diplomats to Delhi under a chargé d'affaires, as the Indian government hadn't officially recognized the Taliban regime.

The night's event featured a two-hour gathering, attended by Indian government officials and delegates from the Ministry of External Affairs, led by Joint Secretary Anand Prakash. Taliban diplomats, without official diplomatic recognition from most of the world, attended the event with no flags in the background, except for the Indian and Taliban flags.

The Taliban representative gave a 21-minute speech, focusing on security, stability, and Afghanistan's potential for regional connectivity, trade, and investment. He emphasized Afghanistan's shared history with India, highlighting the cultural, literary, and spiritual influence of Afghan scholars, poets, and Sufis in India, dating back centuries.

The Indian diplomat present, Sneha Dubey, along with a few other women, and foreign diplomats' wives and family members, attended the event.