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In a move with far-reaching strategic implications, India has quietly initiated its highest-level contact yet with Afghanistan’s Taliban-led administration. On May 15, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi—the first such outreach since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021.
While India has yet to recognise the Taliban regime formally, the timing and substance of this engagement are anything but routine. Coming just weeks after the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, the call follows an unexpected condemnation of the attack by the Taliban, distancing itself from the extremist elements long associated with regional violence.
Jaishankar’s post on social platform X reflected both appreciation and strategic intent:
“Good conversation with Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi this evening. Deeply appreciate his condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack.”
He also welcomed Kabul’s rejection of “false and baseless reports” that sought to sow mistrust between India and Afghanistan.
A Diplomatic First—and a Strategic Realignment
It isn’t just diplomatic symbolism—it’s a calibrated geopolitical signal. India is elevating its engagement with Kabul while sidelining Islamabad, a historic shift redefining the regional power balance.
“Afghanistan is an important neighbour and historic civilizational partner. India has always stood by the Afghan people, irrespective of the regime,” former Ambassador Anil Trigunayat told BharatShakti. “It is good that the level of interaction with the current regime has been elevated.”
The Taliban’s cooperative posture post-Pahalgam has opened the door for India to adopt a pragmatic, interests-driven approach—even without formal recognition.
“India is strategically repositioning itself,” said Lt Col Manoj K Channan (Retd). “Through humanitarian aid via Chabahar and tactical diplomacy, New Delhi is establishing a direct line to the Taliban—one that undermines Pakistan’s longstanding claim to influence in Kabul.”
Chabahar as India’s Geostrategic Fulcrum
Iran’s Chabahar Port—India’s key gateway to Afghanistan is at the heart of this evolving equation, especially now that India-Pakistan ties have reached a post-Pahalgam nadir. With land trade routes via Pakistan effectively shut down, Chabahar has become both a lifeline for Afghanistan and a lever for Indian influence.
“India is acting with clarity and foresight,” said Lt Col Channan. “Pakistan must urgently recalibrate its strategy—or risk permanent marginalisation in a region it once sought to control.”
The Pakistan-Taliban Rift: Strategic Depth No More
For decades, Pakistan viewed Afghanistan as “strategic depth.” That illusion is now under strain. The Taliban’s increasing autonomy, along with rising violence by Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has reversed the historical power dynamic.
“The Taliban no longer dances to Islamabad’s tune,” said Channan. “The porous Durand Line, TTP resurgence, and Taliban’s diplomatic pivot towards India have exposed Pakistan’s vulnerabilities—both domestically and regionally.”
Quiet Diplomacy, Tangible Outcomes
Despite not recognising the Taliban regime, India has steadily ramped up behind-the-scenes diplomacy. In the past year alone:
- Senior Indian diplomat JP Singh met Muttaqi in March 2024 and later with Acting Defence Minister Mohammad Yaqub Mujahid.
- On April 27, Indian envoy Anand Prakash held another round of talks with Muttaqi.
- India has unofficially allowed Taliban-run Afghan consular services in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad to resume limited operations.
During the latest call, Muttaqi urged India to increase visa quotas for Afghan patients and support the repatriation of Afghan prisoners held in Indian jails—underscoring humanitarian diplomacy as a cornerstone of New Delhi’s approach.
“Almost all major powers are engaging with the Taliban,” said Trigunayat. “Russia has recognised them; China has accepted their ambassador. Arab countries have maintained continuous engagement. India’s pragmatic outreach is aligned with global realpolitik.”
Minerals, Markets, and the Strategic Next Phase
Beyond geopolitics, Afghanistan’s “vast mineral wealth—mainly rare earths—” adds another layer to India’s engagement calculus.
“India needs alternative sources of rare earths to reduce its dependence on China,” Channan explained. “But the Taliban will likely play all sides. New Delhi must be both competitive and strategic.”
The Taliban’s resource nationalism, combined with its quest for international legitimacy, means India must move swiftly—but smartly—to convert diplomatic access into long-term strategic advantage.
Operation Sindoor: The Broader Backdrop
India’s outreach also resonates in the context of Operation Sindoor—a covert counterterrorism operation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in early May. The Taliban’s condemnation of the Pahalgam attack shortly after that operation may reflect Kabul’s own recalibration in response to regional dynamics, including growing distrust of Pakistan’s double game on terrorism.
A New Axis of Influence
India’s engagement with the Taliban represents more than a tactical manoeuvre. It is a strategic recalibration grounded in realism, leveraging history, geography, and diplomacy—without compromising on principle.
For Pakistan, the message is unmistakable: its traditional dominance over Afghan affairs is slipping.
For India, this is a chance to shape a new balance of power in South Asia—one driven not by ideology, but by pragmatism and national interest.
For Afghanistan, it is an opportunity to assert independence and attract investment, connectivity, and legitimacy on its own terms.
As Trigunayat summed up: “The Taliban is now a reality. And in geopolitics, pragmatism often trumps ideology.”
Huma Siddiqui
