India's foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, met acting Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai last week, marking a significant advancement in bilateral relations. This meeting signifies the highest-level talks between India and the Taliban since the group's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. The engagement between New Delhi and Kabul has been on the rise, with this being the second meeting in just two months, highlighting the mutual willingness to enhance diplomatic ties.
India's approach towards engaging with the Taliban has been strategic, aiming to pursue security and strategic interests in Afghanistan. The discussions between Misri and Muttaqi emphasized the historical friendship and strong people-to-people contacts between the two nations. The talks focused on strengthening bilateral relations, addressing security concerns, engaging in development projects, and enhancing humanitarian assistance.
India has been actively involved in facilitating trade, aid, and medical support to Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. The country has also pledged to provide material support for the rehabilitation of Afghan refugees back in Afghanistan. The discussions also touched on enhancing trade via the Chabahar Port in Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province, providing an alternative route for landlocked Afghanistan to send and receive goods, bypassing ports in Pakistan.
The meeting between India and the Taliban has the potential to unsettle Pakistan, given the historical rivalry between India and Pakistan. The deteriorating relations between the Taliban regime and Pakistan, coupled with India's strengthened engagement with Afghanistan, pose challenges for Islamabad. Recent Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan, condemned by India, have further strained relations between the two countries.
India's decision to reopen its embassy in Kabul less than a year after the Taliban's return to power reflects its commitment to maintaining ties with Afghanistan. The evolving geopolitical landscape, including Iran's diminishing influence over the Taliban and Russia's inclination towards recognizing the Taliban government, has influenced India's approach towards Afghanistan.
