India’s stance on the changing geopolitical environment in the area has changed significantly with its diplomatic outreach to the Taliban administration in Afghanistan. This change occurred more than three years after the Taliban took over Kabul, causing India to reevaluate its foreign policy towards its long-time neighbour and suffer a significant strategic and diplomatic setback. The relationship between India and the Taliban has become increasingly important as the country negotiates its future in the area and works towards its strategic objectives.
What Effects Did the Fall of Kabul Have on India's Approach?
The August 2021 fall of Kabul rocked the world’s geopolitical landscape. India’s attempts to support Afghanistan’s democracy, which included military training, scholarships, and large-scale projects like constructing the country’s new parliament building, came to a swift end after twenty years of investment. The Taliban’s quick return and the fall of the Afghan government also increased the power of China and Pakistan, two of the region’s adversaries. This created new security issues and changed India’s strategic position.
However, there was a significant change in India-Taliban ties last week. Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s acting foreign minister, met with India’s top diplomat, Vikram Misri, in Dubai. Since the fall of Kabul, the two sides have not been as engaged as they were at this conference. In response, the Taliban leadership stated that it was interested in deepening its political and economic relations with India, emphasizing the country’s significance as a “significant regional and economic power.”
One important actor in the area is India. According to a diplomatic analyst from the American think tank Wilson Centre, “India’s diplomatic stance has changed because of this engagement with the Taliban, who have long sought international legitimacy.”
Why is India currently interacting with the Taliban?
The de facto recognition of the Taliban’s administration, which has eluded the international community since the group’s comeback to power, is what makes the meeting between India and the Taliban noteworthy. Although up to forty nations have diplomatic or informal ties with the Taliban, no nation has formally recognized the government. While avoiding an explicit acknowledgement of the legitimacy of the Taliban, India’s diplomatic outreach indicates a more practical approach that is centred on its national interests.
“This is a diplomatic victory for the Taliban, and it is all the more significant because it is coming from India, a country that has never had friendly relations with the Taliban,” the analyst said.
India’s interaction with the Taliban coincides with other nations’ differing stances towards Afghanistan’s new leaders, striking a balance between security and human rights concerns and diplomatic outreach. With an emphasis on both security and economic concerns, China, for example, has been actively involved with the Taliban and has even sent an ambassador to Kabul.
What Do India and Afghanistan Have in Common?
India has been involved in Afghanistan for a long time. India and Afghanistan have maintained close historical and cultural relations for many years. India has committed over $3 billion to more than 500 development projects in Afghanistan, including infrastructure projects like roads, power lines, and hospitals, as Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar reminded the Indian Parliament in 2023. In addition, India has taught Afghan officials, given hundreds of students scholarships, and contributed significantly to reconstructing Afghanistan’s institutions.
Despite the Taliban’s comeback to power, India must continue to have some degree of interaction with the nation because of these long-standing investments and the goodwill they have created. The Wilson Centre expert stated, “India has a significant legacy as a donor of development and humanitarian aid in Afghanistan, which has translated into public goodwill from the Afghan public that Delhi is keen not to lose.”
What Impact Does Pakistan Have on India's Relations with the Taliban?
India’s outreach to the Taliban is also significantly shaped by the ongoing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Pakistan has accused the Taliban on several occasions of providing sanctuary to the militant group known as the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), which has carried out cross-border assaults. Pakistan’s military actions in Afghanistan, including airstrikes that killed dozens in eastern Afghanistan last year, have worsened this tense relationship by causing civilian casualties.
India has a rare chance to adjust its regional strategy in light of this new dynamic. Although there are other factors contributing to India’s increased outreach to the Taliban, the expert acknowledged that Delhi gains a significant advantage in its ongoing rivalry with Pakistan by getting closer to a vital long-standing Pakistani asset that has now betrayed its former supporter.
In what ways does India intend to use Afghanistan to improve connectivity?
India has limited land access to Central Asia because Pakistan refuses to offer transit rights. Therefore, its outreach to the Taliban also fits its larger objective of improving regional connectivity and access. According to experts, Afghanistan is essential to achieving this objective. India intends to use Iran’s Chabahar port, a crucial project designed to avoid Pakistan’s ports and establish a commerce route connecting India to Central Asia, to its advantage by negotiating with the Taliban.
“It is easier for Delhi to focus on the Afghanistan component of this plan by engaging more closely with the Taliban leadership, which is fully behind India’s plans as they would help enhance Afghanistan’s own trade and connectivity links,” the expert explained.
This policy change has been viewed as a step towards accomplishing India’s regional strategic goals, which include preventing terrorist threats, improving connectivity and economic ties with Iran and Central Asia, and fostering public goodwill through continued humanitarian aid.
What Dangers Come with Deepening Relations with the Taliban?
India’s approach to the Taliban has several serious risks despite the obvious advantages. The primary source of concern is the Taliban itself. This group has demonstrated little readiness to change since its violent control in the 1990s and has strong linkages to international terror organizations.
“The Taliban themselves pose the biggest threat to closer ties with them. The analyst stated, “We’re talking about a violent and brutal actor that hasn’t done much to change from what it was in the 1990s and has strong ties to international terrorist organizations, including those in Pakistan.” India may believe that if it maintains its alliance with the Taliban, they will be less inclined to threaten India or its interests. Ultimately, though, can you truly put your trust in a player like the Taliban? That will be the troubling question that looms over India as it cautiously pursues this complicated partnership.
“The Taliban is fully in control. Letting the Taliban stew in its own juice won’t help Afghan people. Some engagement with the international community might pressurize the government to improve its behavior,” Prasad said.
He also emphasized that the Taliban’s quest for international recognition will eventually force them to introduce reforms, particularly about women’s rights and education. “Remember, the Taliban is craving for recognition. They know that will only happen after internal reforms,” Prasad added.
What Does India’s Pragmatic Approach Mean for the Future?
India’s recent diplomatic engagement with the Taliban represents a cautious but pragmatic shift in its foreign policy. While there are inherent risks, especially regarding the Taliban’s longstanding ties to terrorist organizations and its internal policies, India’s outreach serves its broader strategic goals—preserving regional influence, securing connectivity with Central Asia, and leveraging its humanitarian aid legacy to maintain public goodwill.
As the geopolitical landscape continues to shift in Afghanistan, India-Taliban relations could shape the future of its relations with both Afghanistan and its regional rivals, especially Pakistan. Whether this diplomatic shift will lead to meaningful changes in the Taliban’s behaviour or result in a more stable regional order remains to be seen. But for now, India’s cautious engagement indicates its evolving diplomatic priorities in a rapidly changing world.