Editorial: Turning point in India-Afghan engagement

Engaging with the Taliban government allows New Delhi to secure its long-term interests in Afghanistan, prevent terror threats emanating from the region, and counterbalance Chinese and Pakistani influence

The upcoming visit by Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi may well mark a turning point in diplomatic relations with India, with the potential to redraw power equations in South Asia. The growing diplomatic engagement with the Taliban reflects India’s pragmatic approach. Though New Delhi has not officially recognised the ultra-orthodox regime, it has progressively stepped up cooperation on economic development and humanitarian assistance. This calculated and measured diplomatic engagement reflects the acknowledgement of the basic geopolitical reality of the subcontinent. Moreover, there is a convergence of views between the two countries on tackling terrorism in the region. Earlier in April, during a high-level meeting with Indian officials in Kabul, the Taliban had condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, indicating how India and Afghanistan were on the same page on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in the region. Also, Kabul had unequivocally said it would never allow anti-India terror elements to operate from its soil. India has since expanded direct humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, providing foodgrains, medical supplies, and development assistance. Following the devastating earthquake in September, India emerged as one of the first responders, swiftly dispatching food supplies, medicines, blankets, and other essential items to the worst-affected provinces. This underscored India’s commitment to aiding the Afghan people in times of crisis. Muttaqi is the first top-level visitor from Kabul since the Taliban seized power in August 2021, marking a new chapter in India-Taliban engagement.

The visit comes against the backdrop of deteriorating bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. In fact, the two former friendly neighbours have now turned bitter foes, trading allegations against each other. Pakistan has been accusing Afghanistan of providing sanctuaries to the terrorist organisation Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to plan and carry out terror strikes in the country. The mass deportation of Afghans from Pakistan has further aggravated the situation, even as China’s efforts to reduce the bilateral tensions have not been successful. As a result, the Taliban have come closer to India, which has been a victim of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism for decades. Afghanistan has long resented the Pakistan army’s brazen meddling in its internal affairs and its treating Afghanistan as its backyard. Kabul has looked to New Delhi to balance the pressures from Rawalpindi. The resumption of visa services for Afghan nationals was another good move by India earlier this year. The two sides had back-to-back meetings at the foreign secretary level early this year, followed by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s telephonic conversation with Muttaqi. Engaging directly with the Taliban government allows New Delhi to secure its long-term interests in Afghanistan, prevent terror threats emanating from the region, and counterbalance Chinese and Pakistani influence. India has invested over USD 3 billion in development projects ranging from dams, power, and bridges to hospitals and the Afghan parliament. Afghanistan also provides India with easy access to Central Asia, bypassing the land route through Pakistan.

---