Even as it is yet to be formally recognized by most of the international community, the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan celebrated its fifth anniversary at an event titled the 'Victory Day at the first ever public reception at the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi that marked the exit of the US from the country and the ascent of the Taliban as well as the gradual normalization of the Taliban. 

The event had envoys of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Palestine, Iran, Iraq, UAE, Qatar among several other countries in presence along with a top official of the government of India.

The event that marks the first such public reception at the Afghan embassy in New Delhi commemorated the ascent of the Taliban in Afghanistan after the United States exited from the country on August 15, 2021- scenes of takeover of Kabul- the country' capital by the Taliban were displayed towards the beginning of the event.

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Not only the event marked the normalization of the Taliban government in a world that seems to be adjusting itself to the government but even the Taliban seemed to be accommodating to some of the realities of the civilian regime including the flag of Afghanistan, 

While the Taliban had replaced the previous black, red, and green national tricolor with a plain white banner featuring the Shahada (the Islamic declaration of faith) in black script, representing the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, their de facto  government, several spots at the Embassy still had the older tricolour hoisted while the new flag marked the more formal arrangements near the dias and the entry of the Embassy.

The message that the Charge d' Affairs Noor Ahmed Noor sent from the dias was of deeper engagement with India as he called for greater political trust, economic partnership and continued engagement with New Delhi.

Noor noted that the same will only "not only benefit India and Afghanistan, but will also help contribute to "stability in the region, connectivity, and shared prosperity.”

The Afghan envoy thanked the leadership of the government of India and the Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar for respecting and protecting the international rights of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
Noor also thanked the government of India for emphasising the need to ensure the legitimate rights of Afghanistan at international forums even as he demanded that greater attention and practical efforts be made towards this purpose.

Highlighting the centuries-old connection between India and Afghanistan, Noor recalled how the ancient cities of Afghanistan used to welcomed Indian traders and caravans in the past while Indian cities were influenced by Afghan scholars, poets and Sufis.

"The ancient Afghan cities like Kabul, Herat, and Kandahar used to welcome Indian traders and caravans, while Indian cities such as Delhi and Lahore would benefit from the influence of Afghan scholars, poets, and Sufis,” he said. 

Noor also emphasized on the connection between the two countries built over the pillars of trade, transit, sports and cultural heritage. 

Talking about the shared past of India and Afghanistan, the Afghan envoy further noted that the two countries had influenced each other in their struggles for freedom from British colonial rule.
"It is our shared past, from which we draw inspiration for a better future,” Noor added.

Representation from multiple countries including major Asian and Middle Eastern powers 

The event which was presided over by Anand Prakash, joint secretary from the Ministry of External Affairs saw diplomats and envoys from several Asian and Middle Eastern players including China, Russia, Iran, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Mongolia, Serbia, Palestine and Niger.  

While India has not recognised the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the event highlighted the growing engagement between India and Afghanistan with the former ties with the Taliban government as it strengthens with economic engagement and humanitarian assistance continuing to be the major aspects of the India-Afghan ties.

Visits of Afghan ministers to New Delhi started in October 2025. 

While the Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi visited New Delhi in October 2025, Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, visited New Delhi in November last year along with a high-level trade delegation to expand bilateral economic cooperation, trade, and regional connectivity.

After initially withdrawing it staff from Kabul, India has upgraded its technical mission there to a full embassy and permitted Islamic Emirate diplomats to staff the Afghan embassy in New Delhi and its consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad. India has allocated 150 crore rupees for Afghanistan in its latest budget and continues humanitarian assistance.

Discover more at New India Abroad.