India-Taliban Relations

 

In News: India's engagement with the Taliban has evolved significantly since the group's return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021. A notable development occurred on January 8, 2025, when India's Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, met with the Taliban's Acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Dubai. This meeting marked the highest-level engagement between India and the Taliban since the latter's takeover of Afghanistan

Introduction

India's approach to the Taliban has been shaped by its strategic interests in Afghanistan, regional stability, and its broader foreign policy goals. Understanding India-Taliban relations requires analyzing historical, political, and security factors, alongside humanitarian concerns, as well as India's attempts to balance engagement and non-engagement strategies 

Historical Context and India-Taliban Relations (1996-2001)

• Pre-9/11 Era: The Taliban first came to power in Afghanistan in 1996, and during this period, India's relations with the group were minimal and strained. India had no diplomatic relations with the Taliban-led regime, mainly due to the Taliban's close ties with Pakistan and its sheltering of extremist groups hostile to India, particularly those involved in insurgencies in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Support for Northern Alliance: India supported the Northern Alliance, the main opposition group to the Taliban, both diplomatically and through assistance. India also remained concerned about the Taliban’s human rights violations, particularly their treatment of women and minorities.

Post-9/11 and U.S. Intervention (2001-2021)

• After the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, India found itself aligning with the international community in its efforts to combat terrorism and promote stability in Afghanistan. India supported the U.S.-backed Afghan government and participated in reconstruction efforts.
• Support for Democratic Government: India invested heavily in Afghanistan’s reconstruction, with projects in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and energy. It also strengthened its ties with the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) to counter terrorism and promote regional stability.

The Taliban's Return to Power in 2021

• August 2021 Crisis: The rapid collapse of the Afghan government and the Taliban’s return to power after the U.S. withdrawal in August 2021 sent shockwaves through the international community. India was particularly concerned about the impact on its investments in Afghanistan and the security implications, especially in relation to cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• Humanitarian and Security Concerns: India was apprehensive about the Taliban’s policies, particularly with regard to human rights, women’s rights, and the potential resurgence of extremist groups like al-Qaeda. India feared that the Taliban's rule would lead to Afghanistan once again becoming a safe haven for terrorist organizations targeting India.

India’s Initial Response to the Taliban

• Cautious Engagement: Initially, India adopted a cautious approach to the Taliban’s return to power. It refrained from official diplomatic recognition but emphasized humanitarian aid and the importance of an inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan. India also emphasized the need for the Taliban to honor commitments to peace, counterterrorism, and human rights.
• Humanitarian Aid: India has been one of the largest donors of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, providing food, medical aid, and vaccines. India’s assistance focused on addressing the urgent humanitarian crisis faced by the Afghan population, particularly in the wake of the Taliban’s return to power.

Key Policy Objectives of India Towards the Taliban

• Security Concerns: India remains concerned about the rise of terrorist organizations in Afghanistan, including the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) and other Pakistan-based terror groups. India fears that Afghanistan, under Taliban rule, could again serve as a base for terrorism that threatens India’s internal security, especially in Kashmir.
• Regional Stability: India’s main objective is to ensure that Afghanistan does not become a source of regional instability. This includes monitoring the situation on the ground, ensuring that Afghanistan does not serve as a haven for groups like the Taliban that could destabilize the region.
• Countering Pakistan’s Influence: Pakistan has historically supported the Taliban, and India’s engagement with Afghanistan is partly driven by its desire to counter Pakistan’s influence in the region. India wants Afghanistan to remain free from any external influence that may align with Pakistan’s strategic objectives.
• Support for an Inclusive Government: India has consistently advocated for an inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan, which would allow for the participation of all ethnic groups and political factions. India hopes that this approach will lead to greater stability and peace in the country.

Engagement with the Taliban: A Delicate Balance

• Indirect Engagement: In the aftermath of the Taliban's takeover, India’s engagement with Afghanistan has largely been indirect. India has maintained communication with the Taliban through diplomatic channels and regional stakeholders such as Russia and Iran. India has also been in touch with the UN and other international bodies to address the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
• Backchannel Diplomacy: While India has refrained from direct recognition of the Taliban government, there have been reports of backchannel diplomacy and interactions aimed at securing the safety of Indian nationals and assets in Afghanistan. India has also sought to protect its long-term interests in Afghanistan through engagement with neighboring countries and multilateral forums.
• Terrorism and Cross-Border Issues: India’s main concern regarding Afghanistan under the Taliban is the potential for cross-border terrorism, especially from groups operating from Pakistan. India is wary of any Taliban-backed facilitation of terror networks targeting Indian interests, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.

India’s Regional and Global Strategy

• Engagement through Multilateral Platforms: India has utilized multilateral platforms, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. India has worked with other countries in the region, including Russia, Iran, and Central Asian republics, to coordinate their responses to the Taliban’s rule and the evolving security situation.
• Influence through Trade and Reconstruction: India has emphasized the importance of humanitarian and developmental aid, using its long history of economic engagement in Afghanistan to assert its role as a key regional player. India has also explored the possibility of re-engaging in infrastructure projects in Afghanistan if the security situation stabilizes.
• China’s Influence: India is closely monitoring China’s growing influence in Afghanistan, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China has expressed its willingness to engage with the Taliban, but India remains cautious, viewing Chinese involvement as a potential challenge to its strategic interests in the region.

Challenges for India Moving Forward

• Uncertainty of the Taliban’s Actions: A major challenge for India is the uncertainty surrounding the Taliban’s governance. The Taliban’s ability or willingness to govern inclusively and address international concerns, particularly on counterterrorism and human rights, will dictate the trajectory of India-Taliban relations.
• Humanitarian Crisis: The dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan presents both an opportunity and a challenge for India. While India has provided significant humanitarian assistance, the continued crisis could strain India’s ability to maintain its support for the Afghan people.
• Security Risks: India will continue to be vigilant about the security risks emanating from Afghanistan, particularly the role of terror groups in the region. It will need to balance humanitarian concerns with the need to protect its interests and security.

Conclusion

India’s approach to the Taliban remains characterized by a cautious, pragmatic, and nuanced policy. While India does not officially recognize the Taliban government, it remains deeply invested in the stability of Afghanistan, the protection of its interests, and the prevention of Afghanistan becoming a hub for terrorism. India’s strategy revolves around providing humanitarian aid, engaging diplomatically through multilateral platforms, and maintaining a careful watch on the evolving security dynamics in the region. As the situation in Afghanistan continues to evolve, India will need to adapt its policy to balance these interests while managing its regional and global obligations.