Why in the news?

  • External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi for a formal meeting for the the first time New Delhi has officially hosted a leader of the Taliban regime that took power in Kabul in 2021.

India’s Engagement with Taliban-Ruled Afghanistan

  • Strategic Context:
    • Security Concerns: India aims to ensure Afghan soil is not used by anti-Indian terrorist groups, like ISIS-K or Pakistan-backed factions.
    • Geopolitical Shifts:
      • Pakistan: Strained relations with the Taliban offer India a strategic opening.
      • China: Increasing its presence in Afghanistan, engaging diplomatically, and investing in resources.
      • Russia and Iran: Both have reduced focus due to domestic and regional challenges.
  • Previous Diplomatic Engagement Timeline:
    • Initial Contact (2021): Indian officials met Taliban representatives in Qatar post-US troop withdrawal.
    • Technical Team (2022): Sent to Kabul to monitor the situation and maintain limited engagement.
  • India’s Objectives:
    • Humanitarian Aid: Continuation of food, medicine, and healthcare support to Afghanistan.
    • Development Projects: Safeguarding and possibly resuming India’s $3 billion investments in Afghan infrastructure.
    • Connectivity Initiatives: Utilizing Chabahar Port to enhance trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia.
  • Taliban’s Response:
    • Taliban has welcomed Indian assistance and expressed interest in India’s continued investment in development projects.
    • Guaranteed the safety of Indian interests and infrastructure in Afghanistan. 
  • Challenges in Engagement:
    • Women’s Rights: India shares global concerns over the Taliban’s restrictions on women and minorities.
    • Recognition Debate: Engagement without granting official recognition to the Taliban regime.
    • Regional Instability: Influence of China, Pakistan, and the potential return of the US under Donald Trump.
  • Strategic Imperatives:
    • Countering China: India’s proactive approach is crucial to offset China’s growing influence in Afghanistan.
    • Regional Stability: Ensuring a secure Afghanistan to prevent spillover of instability into the region.