A delegation of Afghan Hindus and Sikhs, many of whom now reside in India after fleeing persecution in their homeland, met with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi on Monday, October 13, 2025. The meeting, held at the Afghan embassy, centered on the restoration and maintenance of historical gurdwaras and temples in Afghanistan.

The delegation requested the Taliban regime to facilitate a joint delegation of prominent Hindu and Sikh leaders from India to visit Afghanistan to assess the condition of religious sites and oversee their renovation. Guljeet Singh, President of the Gurudwara Guru Nanak Sahib-Ji in New Delhi, highlighted the damaged state of many gurdwaras and temples, emphasizing the urgent need for repair and upkeep.

Beyond the physical restoration of religious sites, the delegation also addressed broader issues affecting the Afghan Hindu and Sikh communities. They sought eased visa requirements for Afghan Hindus and Sikhs who are now Indian nationals, enabling them to visit Afghanistan for business and personal reasons, provided their safety is guaranteed. The delegation also requested the restoration of property rights and estates of minorities, which they said were grabbed during the previous regime.

Furthermore, the delegation urged the Taliban to consider appointing Afghan national Hindus or Sikhs to positions within the Afghan mission in India, believing that such inclusion would strengthen bilateral relations. They also requested greater representation in the government from minority communities, suggesting that at least one person from the Hindu community and one person from the Sikh community be appointed to high-ranking positions.

The meeting was led by the Afghan Minorities Council in coordination with the Indian World Forum (IWF) and comprised approximately 30 prominent Hindu and Sikh community members. Puneet Singh Chandok, President of the IWF, expressed hope that the current regime would ensure the rights of minorities living in Afghanistan.

Muttaqi reportedly assured the delegation that he would address their concerns, particularly regarding the renovation of gurdwaras, the security of religious buildings, and the property rights of minorities.

The meeting took place during Muttaqi's six-day visit to India from October 9 to October 15, as part of India's ongoing efforts to establish a working relationship with the Taliban. The return of the Taliban in 2021 led to a mass exodus of minorities from Afghanistan, including at least 350 Sikhs who were repatriated to India. In the lead-up to the Taliban's takeover, Sikh religious sites faced numerous attacks, including a deadly attack on the Karte Parwan Gurdwara in Kabul in June 2021.