India will pursue engagement with the Taliban, officials said, a policy that could involve hosting the group's UN-sanctioned foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, in New Delhi, The Independent reported, citing Indian officials.

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s acting foreign minister, had been scheduled to visit India for the first time in August; however, the trip did not occur as he failed to obtain a waiver from the United Nations Security Council for his travel ban.

When questioned about Muttaqi's planned visit to India, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Singh Jaiswal told reporters that the country continues to engage with the Afghan authorities.

“As you are aware, we have longstanding ties with the people of Afghanistan. India continues to support the aspirations and developmental needs of the Afghan people. We continue to have engagements with Afghan authorities,” Jaiswal stated last week

Pakistan stands in the way

A waiver for Muttaqi was sought from the UN Security Council by Indian officials but was not cleared, a decision that was reportedly obstructed by Pakistan. Currently led by Pakistan, the 1988 Sanctions Committee, a subsidiary body of the Security Council responsible for overseeing the implementation of sanctions, is enforcing travel bans, an arms embargo, and asset freezes imposed on Taliban leaders.

Sources told The Independent that the Indian side will continue to explore ways to host the acting foreign minister, with the visit expected to proceed in the coming months once the waiver for the travel ban is secured in the interest of regional cooperation.

Should the waiver be granted, Muttaqi's visit will place India on a short list of nations, including China and Russia, that have hosted the sanctioned Taliban leader despite international censure.

India has gradually increased its cautious yet steadily growing diplomatic engagement with the Taliban, including through meetings with the group’s senior officials both in Qatar and in Kabul.