Why in news?
India held a series of high‑level meetings with representatives of the Taliban in July 2025. The talks, which included a call between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, came soon after Russia announced formal recognition of the Taliban regime. These developments signalled Delhi’s readiness to engage with the Taliban 2.0 while carefully protecting its interests.
Background and history
During the Taliban’s first regime (1996‑2001) India faced hostility. Afghan soil was used by Pakistan‑backed terror groups targeting India. After the U.S. withdrawal in 2021 the Taliban returned to power, but their ties with Pakistan soon soured as the group refused to curb Tehrik‑e‑Taliban Pakistan attacks. India used this strategic opening to re‑engage Afghanistan, building on the goodwill created through more than ₹3 billion in aid and projects like dams, hospitals and the new Parliament building. Russia’s recognition added further momentum to India’s cautious outreach.
India’s strategic interests
- Counter‑terrorism and border security: Assurances from Kabul to prevent anti‑India activities offer a chance to deny Pakistan a terror foothold across the western border.
- Access to Central Asia: Afghanistan is a bridge to Central Asia. With Pakistan denying overland routes, India relies on the Chabahar port and the Zaranj–Delaram highway to reach this region.
- Energy security and connectivity: Central Asia holds untapped oil and gas reserves. Improved connectivity through Afghanistan supports India’s long‑term diversification of energy sources.
- Containing the China–Pakistan axis: A Taliban‑friendly India counters the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor and limits Pakistan’s strategic depth.
- Regional stability: A stable Afghanistan aligned with India helps consolidate a South Asia‑centric security order and reduces spill‑over of extremism.
Challenges in engagement
- Lack of legitimacy: The Taliban remains under UN sanctions and is diplomatically isolated. Full recognition is politically sensitive for a democratic country like India.
- Human rights concerns: Regressive policies towards women and minorities complicate any overt partnership and risk damaging India’s global image.
- Pakistan’s disruption: Islamabad may use proxies to undermine India’s presence in Afghanistan, escalating proxy conflicts.
- China’s expanding footprint: Chinese investments and Belt and Road projects in Afghanistan pose economic competition and security risks.
- Internal divisions: Factionalism within the Taliban makes negotiations unpredictable and increases the risk of instability.
Way forward
- De facto engagement: Maintain political dialogue and humanitarian aid without formal recognition until a global consensus emerges.
- Layered diplomacy: Combine engagement with support for Afghan civil society, women’s rights and education through UN agencies and NGOs.
- Regional coordination: Deepen ties with Iran, Central Asian republics and Russia to balance Taliban volatility and the China‑Pakistan nexus.
- Strategic use of Chabahar: Expand infrastructure around the Iranian port to ensure reliable access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
- Prevent radicalisation spill‑over: Strengthen intelligence sharing and border vigilance to stop extremist networks from infiltrating India.
India’s engagement with the Taliban reflects a shift from idealism to realism. A calibrated approach aims to safeguard security, connectivity and regional leadership while managing ethical dilemmas.