New Delhi: In a move that’s flying well under the radar, a senior figure from the Taliban is believed to be in India. Sources in Kabul claim that Mullah Mohammad Ibrahim Sadr, a top security official in the Taliban regime, arrived in the country around 3 May just days after the Pahalgam massacre.
As of this writing, there’s been no confirmation from either side, and officially, the visit doesn’t exist.
Sadr is the acting deputy minister of interior affairs of Afghanistan and is known for his excellent relations with the Iranian security apparatus.
He’s close to the Taliban’s supreme leader and controls a good deal of the group’s security apparatus. What’s more, he’s known to have little love for Pakistan—a country that’s long had deep involvement in Afghanistan’s internal affairs. If he’s in India, it could mean a quiet recalibration by New Delhi at a time of renewed tension with Islamabad.
Considered one of the staunchest opponents of Pakistan, he is a close and trustworthy associate of Hibatullah Akhundzada.
The reason for this secret trip is still unknown, but it took place In light of rising tension between Pakistan and India.
The idea that India might be opening a backchannel to a senior Taliban figure known for being skeptical of Pakistan is likely to create a significant buzz in relevant countries.
A visit like this, if it happened, would suggest India is rethinking how it engages with the new power structure in Afghanistan.
There’s plenty of speculation. Some believe Sadr might be here for discreet talks—perhaps about border security, counterterrorism cooperation, or even infrastructure deals. Others think the real story lies inside the Taliban itself.
So far, nothing official. No statements, no leaks, no photos. Just silence. That’s not surprising—India rarely confirms sensitive diplomacy, and the Taliban prefers to keep its international dealings behind closed doors. The original tip came from a source in Kabul who asked not to be named, citing the nature of the information.