In a significant diplomatic move, India has engaged in talks with the Taliban government in Afghanistan, signaling a shift in its foreign policy approach to the region. This recent outreach, marked by a meeting between India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and the Taliban’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai, highlights a new chapter in India-Afghanistan relations. This marks the highest-level engagement between the two countries since the Taliban took control of Kabul in 2021.
The Geopolitical Reality: A Complex Landscape
India’s engagement with the Taliban is a strategic recalibration, spurred by several factors that have reshaped the regional dynamics. For over two decades, India had invested heavily in Afghanistan’s democracy through humanitarian projects, military training, and infrastructure development. However, the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in 2021 resulted in a major setback for India’s ambitions, as its diplomatic influence in the region was dramatically reduced. In addition, Afghanistan’s political vacuum created a favorable environment for regional rivals, particularly Pakistan and China, to strengthen their presence in the country.
Despite the initial setback, India’s outreach to the Taliban signals a pragmatism in its foreign policy. According to experts, this diplomatic shift is driven by India’s longstanding ties with Afghanistan and the desire to maintain a foothold in the region, particularly as it faces growing competition from China and Pakistan.
A New Diplomatic Engagement: Building Economic and Political Ties
The recent meeting in Dubai focused on areas of mutual interest, including expanding trade and enhancing connectivity through the Chabahar port in Iran. India has been developing the Chabahar port as a strategic route to bypass Pakistan’s Karachi and Gwadar ports, which have long been obstacles to India’s direct access to Central Asia. The Taliban government, recognizing the potential benefits, has expressed its interest in deepening political and economic ties with India, acknowledging India’s role as a significant regional and economic power.
Michael Kugelman of the Wilson Center highlights the significance of this development, pointing out that India’s outreach to the Taliban is a diplomatic triumph for the Taliban, as India had previously been one of the most vocal critics of the regime. “The fact that this treatment is coming from India—an adversary of the Taliban—makes this all the more significant,” says Kugelman.
India’s Core Interests: Balancing Regional and Global Dynamics
India’s engagement with the Taliban serves several core strategic interests. First and foremost, India aims to prevent terrorism threats emanating from Afghanistan, particularly the influence of Pakistani-backed terrorist groups that have historically targeted India. Additionally, India’s deepening ties with Afghanistan provide it with critical access to Central Asia, a region that India has struggled to reach directly due to Pakistan’s refusal of transit rights.
Furthermore, India has invested more than $3 billion in Afghanistan over the years, building infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, power lines, and even the new Afghan Parliament building. This longstanding goodwill with the Afghan people remains a valuable asset for India, which continues to be viewed favorably by many Afghan citizens despite the Taliban’s control.
Regional Tensions and the Role of Pakistan
While the Taliban itself may remain an unpredictable actor, India’s outreach is also driven by tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of providing sanctuary to Pakistan’s own Taliban faction, the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). This ongoing conflict between the Taliban government and Pakistan has created an opportunity for India to strengthen its position in Afghanistan, potentially using the Taliban as a counterbalance to Pakistan’s influence.
As relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan continue to deteriorate, India is positioning itself to leverage its relationship with the Taliban to further its geopolitical interests, including the development of Central Asian trade routes.
The Risks and Challenges
Despite the potential benefits, there are inherent risks in India’s approach to the Taliban. The group’s violent history and close ties to terrorist organizations, including Pakistani militants, remain a significant concern for India. While India hopes that maintaining engagement will reduce the likelihood of the Taliban undermining its interests, questions about the Taliban’s trustworthiness linger.
The Taliban’s human rights record, particularly its treatment of women, also complicates India’s stance. However, some experts, such as former Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Jayant Prasad, argue that engagement is necessary to influence the Taliban’s behavior. “The Taliban is fully in control, and disengagement won’t help the Afghan people,” Prasad states. He believes that some level of international pressure could prompt internal reforms, including improving the rights of women and restoring access to education and employment.
Conclusion: A Pragmatic Approach
India’s engagement with the Taliban reflects a pragmatic approach to Afghanistan’s current reality. While it remains cautious about the risks posed by the Taliban, India recognizes the necessity of forging a relationship with the de facto rulers of Afghanistan. The outreach helps India advance its geopolitical interests, from strengthening regional connectivity to curbing terrorism. As Afghanistan’s political landscape continues to evolve, India’s strategic shift underscores the complex realities of international diplomacy in a turbulent region.
As the situation unfolds, the future of India’s relationship with the Taliban will depend on the Taliban’s actions and its willingness to address global concerns, particularly regarding human rights and regional stability. Click here for source
