India's recent outreach to the Taliban marks a significant shift in its diplomatic strategy regarding Afghanistan, reflecting a complex interplay of geopolitical interests and regional dynamics.

India's engagement with the Taliban has evolved since the group's takeover of Kabul in August 2021. Historically, India invested heavily in Afghanistan, contributing over $3 billion in aid and development projects aimed at fostering democracy and stability.

However, the Taliban's return to power represented a strategic setback for India, diminishing its influence and creating security concerns as regional competitors like Pakistan and China sought to expand their foothold in Afghanistan.

The latest high-level interaction occurred on January 8, 2025, when India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban's acting foreign minister, in Dubai. This meeting is notable as it represents the highest level of engagement since Kabul's fall and underscores India's intention to re-establish its presence in Afghan affairs.

The discussions reportedly focused on enhancing trade relations and political ties, with the Taliban expressing interest in strengthening economic cooperation with India.

Strategic Motivations

Several factors are driving India's renewed outreach:

Geopolitical Realignment: With Pakistan alleging that Taliban factions harbour anti-Pakistan militants, India sees an opportunity to align itself more closely with the Taliban as a counterbalance to Pakistan's influence.

Access To Central Asia: India aims to enhance connectivity to Central Asia through Afghanistan, particularly via projects like Chabahar, which seeks to bypass Pakistani transit routes.

Humanitarian Concerns: India has also committed to providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, including food and medical supplies, which serves both altruistic and strategic purposes by maintaining goodwill among the Afghan populace.

Risks And Challenges

Despite these strategic advantages, engaging with the Taliban carries inherent risks. Analysts caution that the Taliban remains a violent entity linked to international terrorist groups. Strengthening ties could inadvertently legitimize a regime that has shown little inclination toward reform since its previous rule in the 1990s. Furthermore, India's cautious approach reflects an awareness of the complexities involved in dealing with such a regime.

India's outreach to the Taliban signifies a pragmatic shift in response to evolving geopolitical realities. While it seeks to regain influence and secure its interests in Afghanistan, it must navigate the risks associated with engaging a historically volatile regime.

NDTV