India’s engagement with the Taliban, especially after their return to power in 2021, marks a significant shift in South Asian geopolitics. As global powers grappled with Afghanistan’s new regime, India adopted a pragmatic approach to balance humanitarian concerns with regional interests. India’s diplomatic recalibration was not merely a response to the Taliban’s return to power but also a reflection of India’s broader regional aspirations and its need to maintain influence in a rapidly changing neighborhood. The recent meeting between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in January 2025 signals a new phase in India’s foreign policy.
Background: The Taliban’s Return to Power
The Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan in August 2021, after the U.S. withdrawal, marked a crucial moment in South Asian geopolitics. As the Taliban quickly re-established control, countries, including India, were forced to reconsider their diplomatic stances. While India refrained from formally recognizing the Taliban, it acknowledged the need to engage strategically with the regime to protect its interests and address Afghanistan's humanitarian challenges.
India initially withdrew its diplomatic mission following the Taliban’s return but re-established a technical presence at its embassy in Kabul in 2022. This cautious engagement allows India to safeguard its strategic interests while contributing to Afghanistan's humanitarian needs.
Geopolitical Dynamics and Pakistan’s Role
India’s engagement with Afghanistan is intricately linked to the tensions between Kabul and Islamabad. The Taliban’s support for the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group that seeks to establish Pashtun nationalism in Pakistan’s tribal areas, has exacerbated tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Pakistan’s airstrikes in Afghanistan targeting TTP camps have been condemned by both Kabul and India, intensifying the already volatile security situation in the region.
The Taliban's ties with the TTP, alongside the presence of over 6,000 TTP fighters operating from Afghan soil, complicate Pakistan's security landscape. This situation is particularly ironic given Pakistan’s historical role in supporting the Taliban during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. The presence of these insurgent groups, combined with the Taliban’s ties to al-Qaeda, heightens the regional security threat and undermines stability.
India’s Strategic Approach to the Taliban
India’s approach to Afghanistan is shaped by a combination of humanitarian and geopolitical interests. While the Taliban regime seeks international recognition, India remains focused on its broader regional goals.
· Humanitarian Assistance: India has been a significant provider of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. Its assistance has included medicines and vaccines for COVID-19, polio, and tuberculosis, along with winter clothing, hygiene kits, and essential food supplies. In the 2024-25 Union Budget, India allocated ₹200 crore for Afghanistan’s humanitarian assistance, underscoring its commitment to supporting the Afghan people. Furthermore, following the Misri-Muttaqi dialogue, India has pledged additional support for Afghanistan's health sector and refugee rehabilitation.
· Leveraging Regional Partnerships: India’s regional strategy also involves partnerships with neighboring countries. One notable collaboration is with Iran, particularly through the Chabahar Port, which provides India with a strategic route to deliver aid and trade to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan. This partnership not only enhances India’s influence in Afghanistan but also opens avenues for broader regional mediation, with Iran holding significant sway over Kabul.
· Cultural Diplomacy and Soft Power: India’s cultural diplomacy plays a key role in its engagement with Afghanistan. The growing popularity of cricket in Afghanistan has created opportunities for India to connect with Afghan youth, particularly through the Indian Premier League (IPL), where Afghan players like Rashid Khan have made their mark. Additionally, India has continued to support Afghan students, granting over 3,000 scholarships through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) since 2021. These initiatives strengthen people-to-people ties and enhance India's soft power in the region.
Challenges and Opportunities
While India’s engagement with the Taliban presents several opportunities, it is not without challenges.
Challenges
1. Regional Security Concerns: The presence of terrorist groups like al-Qaeda, TTP, and ISKP remains a major challenge. These organizations threaten regional stability and complicate India’s diplomatic efforts.
2. Pakistan’s Influence: Pakistan’s support for militant groups, including the Taliban, continues to destabilize the region, especially with tensions surrounding the Durand Line, a colonial-era boundary rejected by the Taliban.
3. Internal Taliban Policies: The Taliban’s treatment of minorities, its human rights record, and its strict interpretation of Islamic law are contentious issues. These policies have drawn global criticism, making international engagement difficult for many countries, including India.
Opportunities
1. Strengthening Traditional Ties: Afghanistan and India share historical, cultural, and economic ties. India can leverage these connections to rebuild and strengthen its relationship with Afghanistan through development projects and humanitarian aid.
2. Promoting Regional Stability: By engaging constructively with the Taliban, India has an opportunity to contribute to regional stability and counterbalance the influence of Pakistan and China in Afghanistan.
3. Expanding “Act West” Policy: Afghanistan’s strategic location makes it an important component of India’s “Act West” policy, which aims to strengthen India’s relations with West Asia and Central Asia. Integrating Afghanistan into this policy enhances India’s regional presence and influence.
India’s Investments in Afghanistan’s Infrastructure
India has made significant investments in Afghanistan’s infrastructure, demonstrating its long-term commitment to the country’s development. Key projects include:
1. Salma Dam: Known as the Afghan-India Friendship Dam, this project, inaugurated in 2016, enhances Afghanistan’s power generation capacity and fosters regional cooperation.
2. Zaranj-Delaram Highway: Built by India’s Border Roads Organization, this highway connects Afghanistan to Iran’s Chabahar Port, providing a vital trade route that bypasses Pakistan. This infrastructure project is key to enhancing Afghanistan’s connectivity with global markets.
Why India’s Engagement with Afghanistan is Important
- Geopolitical Interests: India seeks to maintain its influence in Afghanistan to counterbalance Pakistan’s role in the region and to secure access to Central Asia, a region of growing economic and geopolitical importance.
- Regional Stability: India is concerned about the instability in Afghanistan spilling over into the broader South Asian region. The resurgence of the Taliban and the ongoing insurgencies in Pakistan highlight the region’s fragile security situation.
- Securing Investments: India has heavily invested in infrastructure and development projects in Afghanistan, and it is crucial for India to safeguard these investments to secure its long-term interests in the region.
Conclusion
India’s engagement with the Taliban is a pragmatic response to a complex geopolitical situation. While the country has refrained from formally recognizing the Taliban, its multifaceted approach—focused on humanitarian assistance, regional partnerships, and cultural diplomacy—reflects India’s commitment to Afghanistan’s welfare and its strategic interests in the region. Despite the challenges posed by terrorist groups, Pakistan’s influence, and the Taliban’s controversial internal policies, India’s proactive diplomacy offers a framework for constructive engagement in an increasingly volatile environment. By balancing humanitarian aid with geopolitical considerations, India seeks to contribute to regional stability while preserving its interests and strengthening its influence in Afghanistan.
Main question: India’s approach towards Afghanistan has been characterized by a balance of humanitarian aid, strategic partnerships, and regional diplomacy. In light of this, assess India’s opportunities and challenges in shaping the future of Afghanistan. |