Editorial: Pragmatic diplomacy

India’s move to expand its engagement with the Taliban reflects a well-calibrated policy change

India’s recent move to expand its engagement with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan reflects pragmatic diplomacy driven by strategic and security interests. More than three years after the Taliban took control of the war-torn nation, there is a growing realisation that India must recalibrate its position and figure out a working relationship with the new rulers. However, the ultra-orthodox regime is not officially recognised. New Delhi has a major stake in the stability of Afghanistan and has invested considerable resources in the country’s development and in extending humanitarian assistance to its people. For a long time, India was concerned about the Taliban’s links with Pakistan’s ISI and efforts by the latter to use the Haqqani network to target India’s interests in Afghanistan. However, the situation has changed now, in the wake of the worsening Afghan-Pakistan bilateral relations. The Pakistani terror groups no longer have uncontrolled access to Afghan territory. Though there are still some isolated reports of movement of some terrorists, weapons and equipment left over by the Americans from Afghanistan into Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab via Pakistan, India will have better chances of neutralising these factors with improved relations with the Taliban regime. Expanding its footprint in the country would also enable India to complete over 500 projects it had taken up in the past in road construction, drinking water supply and expanding medical facilities. The Taliban, on its part, see New Delhi as a major stakeholder which can play a key role in facilitating long-term peace and stability in their country.

In recent times, India has made some well-calibrated changes in its policy. It allowed the Taliban to take de facto control of its diplomatic missions in India in November 2023. Earlier this month, a senior official of India’s External Affairs Ministry met Taliban Defence Minister Mohammad Yaqub Mujahid and Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul to discuss ways to expand bilateral relations and accelerate the delivery of humanitarian assistance using the Chabahar port, now being operated by an Indian company. India is also considering the request of the Taliban government to appoint a Second Secretary Ikramuddin Kamil in its Consulate in Mumbai. In June 2022, India sent considerable aid to the Afghans when the earthquake wreaked havoc, becoming one of the first countries in the region to respond. India’s decision to do business with the Taliban was also motivated by China restoring diplomatic ties with Kabul. During meetings with Indian officials, Taliban ministers have expressed interest in stronger bilateral political and economic ties and easier visas for Afghan businessmen to travel to India. They are also keen to reduce their dependence on Pakistan for economic, transport and other assistance. Its Deputy PM for Economic Affairs, Mullah Baradar, visited the Chabahar port in November 2023 and expressed interest in boosting trade with India via this port.

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