The Taliban's foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, has embarked on a groundbreaking journey to India, a move that was once unimaginable. This visit marks a significant shift in the region's political landscape and has sparked curiosity and controversy.
Muttaqi's arrival in India for a week of talks is the highest-level Taliban visit since they seized power in 2021. During his eight-day stay, he will discuss diplomatic, trade, and economic ties with Indian officials. This visit is seen as a bold move by India to strengthen its Afghan policy.
But here's where it gets intriguing: India's arch-rival, Pakistan, which historically had close ties with the Taliban, is watching this development closely. Muttaqi, granted a temporary exemption from UN sanctions, flew in from Russia, the only country to fully recognize the Taliban government.
The rapid deterioration of Taliban-Pakistan relations and the simultaneous establishment of a multilateral relationship between India and the new Kabul government is astonishing. Delhi, once a supporter of the Western-backed Afghan government, is now demonstrating pragmatism and realpolitik.
Muttaqi, accompanied by Afghan officials, met with India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar in Delhi. Jaishankar emphasized the benefits of closer cooperation, stating, "It contributes to your national development, regional stability, and resilience." He also reaffirmed India's commitment to Afghanistan's sovereignty and independence.
Muttaqi described India as a "close friend" and expressed his belief that this visit would enhance relations. The Afghan delegation will also engage with representatives of the Indian business community.
India has maintained some form of diplomatic or informal relations with the Taliban, despite not formally recognizing them. This growing engagement between India's right-wing government and the Islamist Taliban began shortly after the group's return to power in Kabul.
Strategic affairs analyst Brahma Chellaney described the visit as a "setback for Pakistan" and a significant step towards the Taliban regime's de facto recognition. He added that it signals a cautious reset in India-Taliban relations, with both sides prioritizing pragmatic engagement to advance their strategic interests.
Just over four years ago, such a scenario seemed unlikely. The panic in Indian policy circles after the US-led forces' withdrawal timeline was set for mid-2021 is a stark contrast to the current situation. India shut its embassies and stopped issuing visas to Afghans, but within a year, it re-established its diplomatic presence and started issuing visas to influential Taliban figures.
Over the past three years, India and Afghanistan have been working to rebuild ties, with several high-level engagements, including a meeting between Muttaqi and India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in Dubai earlier this year.
India and Pakistan's long-standing zero-sum game in Afghanistan has seen both countries vying for dominance at the other's expense. India, along with Russia and Iran, supported factions fighting against the Taliban until the group's removal from power in 2001.
However, Pakistan's relations with the Taliban have become increasingly strained, with Pakistani officials publicly labeling Afghanistan an "enemy country." Pakistan accuses the Taliban of allowing the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) to launch attacks from Afghan territory, while the Taliban rejects these accusations and accuses Pakistan of destabilizing Afghanistan.
India's motivation for maintaining good relations with the Taliban is primarily driven by its national interest. Delhi's primary concern is security, especially regarding terrorist activities by groups like the Islamic State, al-Qaeda, and other India-focused militants. The Taliban has assured Delhi that Afghan territory will not be used for such activities, a promise reiterated by Muttaqi.
Additionally, ties with the Taliban are crucial to Delhi's desire to enhance connectivity with Iran and Central Asia, countering China and Pakistan's influence in the region.
Despite the deepening ties, both India and the Taliban remain cautious, and their relationship is tactical, considering past events, domestic considerations, and potential foreign repercussions.
So, what do you think? Is this visit a sign of a new era of cooperation, or are there hidden agendas at play? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
