India-Taliban Engagement: A New Chapter in Regional Diplomacy
Context:
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri recently held a landmark meeting with Afghanistan’s acting ‘Foreign Minister’ Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai. This interaction marks the highest-ranking engagement between India and the Taliban administration since the latter seized power in Kabul in August 2021.
India’s Demands and Afghanistan’s Assurances:
India-Taliban Talks and Support for Afghanistan:
India has consistently supported the Afghan people through significant humanitarian assistance since 2021, including:
- 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat for food security.
- 300 tonnes of medicines and COVID-19 vaccines for healthcare.
- 27 tonnes of earthquake relief materials to address natural disasters.
During the recent talks, India committed to additional aid, particularly in improving Afghanistan’s health sector and rehabilitating refugees.
Both sides also discussed enhancing trade via the Chabahar Port and resuming Indian-funded development projects, paused since 2021.
- Security Concerns: Addressing the presence of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) fighters in Afghanistan.
- Stability: Securing assurances that Afghanistan will not pose a threat to any nation.
In response, the Taliban:
- Assured India that Afghanistan is committed to regional security.
- Expressed its sensitivity to India’s security concerns.
Taliban’s Foreign Policy and Future Proposals:
The Taliban emphasised its balanced and economy-centric foreign policy, proposing to:
- Enhance Diplomatic Ties: Raise the level of diplomatic relations with India.
- Ease Visa Regimes: Facilitate visas for Afghan businessmen, patients, and students.
- Boost Trade and Sports Cooperation: Promote trade through Chabahar Port and strengthen sports ties, particularly through cricket.
The Taliban expressed gratitude for India’s continued humanitarian aid and outlined its commitment to fostering economic and political relations with India.
India’s Concerns in Afghanistan:
- Terrorism: The presence of Pakistan-based terror groups like LeT and JeM operating in Afghanistan.
- Regional Security Dynamics: The Taliban’s strained ties with Pakistan over Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)-linked militancy provide India with opportunities to counter Islamabad’s influence.
- Geopolitical Rivalry: Balancing China’s deepening ties with the Taliban, as Beijing seeks access to Afghanistan’s resources for its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
India’s Evolving Diplomacy:
India’s approach to Afghanistan reflects a pragmatic adaptation to changing circumstances:
- Humanitarian Focus: Despite not recognising the Taliban regime, India has prioritised humanitarian aid, investing nearly USD 3 billion in Afghanistan over the years.
- Strategic Timing: Strengthening ties with Afghanistan as Pakistan’s influence wanes and Russia’s and Iran’s attention shifts due to global conflicts.
- Balancing Security with Principles: While advocating for stability, India continues to voice concerns about human rights, particularly women’s rights in Afghanistan.
- Diplomatic Engagement: Upgrading interactions from Joint Secretary-level discussions to Foreign Secretary-level talks signifies India’s commitment to maintaining relevance in Afghanistan’s development and security matrix.
