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India’s Foreign Secretary Meets Taliban’s ‘Foreign Minister’ in Landmark Interaction
Context:
Recently , Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held a meeting with Afghanistan’s acting ‘Foreign Minister’ Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai. This marks the highest-ranking interaction between India and the Taliban administration since the group seized power in Kabul in August 2021. India has not officially recognised the Taliban regime but has maintained a cautious engagement strategy driven by humanitarian and regional stability concerns.
India’s Continued Humanitarian Assistance
India has consistently supported the Afghan people through humanitarian aid since 2021. This includes:
- 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat
- 300 tonnes of medicines
- 27 tonnes of earthquake relief materials
- COVID-19 vaccines and other medical supplies
The ongoing support underscores India’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of the Afghan populace despite the complex political situation.
Focus Areas of Discussion:
- Material Support for Afghanistan: India committed to providing additional assistance to Afghanistan, focusing on health sector improvements and refugee rehabilitation.
- Enhancing Trade via Chabahar Port: Both sides agreed to promote the use of the Iranian port of Chabahar to facilitate trade and humanitarian assistance.
- Strengthening Sports Cooperation: Discussions also touched upon strengthening sports collaboration, with cricket serving as a potential avenue for fostering goodwill between the two countries.
- Development Projects: India indicated its willingness to resume development projects in Afghanistan. These projects were paused after the Taliban took control in 2021, making this a significant development in India’s policy.
- Visa Facilitation and Diplomatic Cooperation: Afghanistan sought India’s support in improving visa facilities for Afghan businessmen, patients, and students.
- Regional Security and Stability: The Taliban assured India that Afghanistan poses no security threat and emphasised its focus on a balanced, economy-oriented foreign policy.
Key Reasons for Engagement:
- Geopolitical Flux
- Pakistan: Adversarial relations due to airstrikes and tension with the Taliban.
- Iran: Preoccupied with Israel’s direct attacks and weakened influence over the Taliban.
- Russia: Distracted by the Ukraine war and seeking alliances, including with the Taliban.
- China: Deepening ties with the Taliban, eyeing Afghanistan’s resources for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
- Strategic Timing
- Avoiding Isolation: India aims to maintain relevance after years of investment in Afghanistan (~USD 3 billion).
- Anticipation of Trump’s Return: Expected US engagement with the Taliban under a new administration.
- Security Concerns
Changing Regional Dynamics
- Pakistan’s Waning Influence: Airstrikes and Taliban’s independence from Islamabad.
- Russia’s Alignment: Removing Taliban from its terrorist organisation list in December 2024.
- Iran’s Shift: Reduced ability to pressure the Taliban amid domestic and external challenges.
India’s Long-Term Vision
- Sustained Engagement: Ensure a foothold in Afghanistan’s development and security matrix.
- Balancing Security with Principles: While women’s rights remain a concern, stability and counter-terrorism are priorities.
- Core Focus: Prevent anti-Indian terrorist groups from operating on Afghan soil.
- Taliban’s Role: Fighting ISIS-K, ensuring Indian interests, and protecting embassy facilities.
Significance of the meeting:
- Diplomatic Evolution: The meeting marks a step forward in India-Taliban relations, with New Delhi upgrading its engagement from Joint Secretary-level discussions to a meeting involving the Foreign Secretary.
- Strategic Context
- Pakistan Factor: The Taliban’s strained ties with Pakistan over Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)-linked militancy present an opportunity for India to expand its influence. India’s condemnation of Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghan territory highlights its stance against Islamabad’s actions.
- Impact on India-Pakistan Relations: India’s outreach to the Taliban is expected to raise tensions with Pakistan, already strained over cross-border militancy. India condemned Pakistan’s December 2024 airstrikes on Afghan territories, accusing Islamabad of blaming neighbors for its internal issues.
- China Factor: With Beijing deepening ties with the Taliban to access Afghanistan’s resources, India is countering China’s growing influence in the region.
- Balancing Humanitarian and Strategic Interests: While India has not recognised the Taliban regime, it continues to prioritise the Afghan people’s needs through humanitarian aid and economic cooperation, carefully balancing its strategic goals.
- Absence of Human Rights Discourse: The meeting did not address critical issues like women’s rights in Afghanistan, an area where the Taliban has faced global criticism for regressive policies. This omission underscores the pragmatic focus of the talks on trade, security, and development.
- Refugee Crisis: India’s commitment to assisting Afghan refugees follows Pakistan’s mass expulsions of over 780,000 undocumented foreigners, including Afghans, since 2023.
