India’s Engagement With Taliban (2021-Present)

INDIA’S ENGAGEMENT WITH TALIBAN (2021-PRESENT)

• India’s relationship with the Taliban since the group’s return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021 has evolved, marked by cautious diplomatic engagement, humanitarian aid, and strategic interests.
• India, historically wary of the Taliban’s extremist ideologies and ties with Pakistan, had to adjust its approach given the changing political and security situation in Afghanistan.

INDIA’S HISTORICAL STANCE ON TALIBAN

• Vijay K. Nambiar’s Meeting (2000):
  • In 2000, Vijay K. Nambiar, India’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, met Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, the Taliban’s representative in Pakistan.
  • This interaction was one of the few occasions India engaged with the Taliban.
  • Nambiar’s assessment was that India could not have meaningful ties with the Taliban due to their close relationship with Pakistan, complicating diplomatic relations.
• India’s Stance during the Taliban’s First Rule (1990s):
  • During the Taliban’s first rule (1996-2001), India refused to engage with them due to the group’s extreme interpretation of Islamic law, oppression of women, and their links to terrorist organizations.
  • Instead, India supported the Afghan government led by Hamid Karzai (2001-2014) and later Ashraf Ghani (2014-2021), providing significant development assistance to Afghanistan during these periods.

TALIBAN’S RETURN TO POWER IN 2021

• Taliban Takeover:
  • In August 2021, as U.S. and NATO forces withdrew from Afghanistan, the Taliban quickly took control, leading to the collapse of the Ashraf Ghani government.
  • India had invested heavily in Afghanistan over two decades, primarily in infrastructure and development projects.
  • India was forced to reassess its diplomatic approach as the Taliban became the de facto power in Afghanistan.
• First Contact (August 31, 2021) – Doha:
  • India’s first official engagement with the Taliban took place in Doha, Qatar, on August 31, 2021.
  • India’s Ambassador to Qatar, Deepak Mittal, met Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the head of the Taliban’s political office.
  • During this meeting, the Taliban expressed interest in continuing cultural, economic, and political relations with India, citing historical ties.
  • India responded cautiously, signaling that its engagement would be limited and carefully calibrated.

HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE

Despite concerns over the Taliban’s governance practices, India took steps to provide humanitarian aid to the Afghan people while maintaining its distance from the Taliban government.

• Humanitarian Aid (December 2021):
  • India sent 1.6 tonnes of medical supplies to Afghanistan, a humanitarian gesture aimed at assisting the Afghan people without directly supporting the Taliban regime.
• June 2022 – First Official Diplomatic Visit to Kabul:
  • India sent a team led by P. Singh, a senior official from the Ministry of External Affairs, to Kabul.
  • The team’s mission was to supervise the delivery of humanitarian aid and meet with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s foreign minister.
  • India provided aid to victims of the Khost and Paktika earthquake, signaling continued humanitarian support.
• Technical Team in Kabul:
  • Even after the embassy evacuation, India deployed a small technical team to Kabul to monitor aid delivery, indicating India’s commitment to its humanitarian obligations in Afghanistan.

STRENGTHENING DIPLOMATIC TIES (2022-2024)

India continued to engage diplomatically with the Taliban while emphasizing key concerns such as women’s rights, inclusive governance, and the security situation in Afghanistan.

• December 2022 – Women’s Rights and Inclusive Government:
  • India expressed concern over the Taliban’s ban on women’s education and other restrictions on women’s rights.
  • India called for an inclusive government in Afghanistan that would represent the diverse ethnic and religious communities of the country.
  • India reiterated the importance of UN Security Council Resolution 2593, which called for respecting human rights and forming an inclusive government.
• October 2023 – Closure of Afghan Embassy in New Delhi:
  • In October 2023, Afghanistan’s embassy in New Delhi closed due to logistical constraints and lack of resources.
  • However, Afghan diplomats continued to work at the Indian consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad to maintain diplomatic engagement.

• January 2024 – Meeting with Amir Khan Muttaqi:
  • Indian diplomats met Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s foreign minister, in Kabul to discuss visa issues for Afghan businessmen, students, and patients.
  • India remains open to providing humanitarian visas on a case-by-case basis despite logistical challenges due to the closure of the embassy.

KEY DRIVERS OF INDIA’S ENGAGEMENT WITH TALIBAN

Several key factors have influenced India’s approach to engaging with the Taliban:

• Geopolitical and Regional Dynamics:
  • Pakistan’s Influence: The Taliban’s strong ties to Pakistan present challenges for India, particularly regarding concerns over terrorism and the possible flow of refugees from Afghanistan to India.
  • China’s Role: China has been increasing its influence in Afghanistan by signing economic and trade agreements with the Taliban. India is cautious about falling behind China in securing its interests in the region.
  • Iran and Russia: India continues to engage with Iran and Russia, both of which share concerns about the Taliban’s policies and its regional impact.

• Security Concerns:
  • India is concerned about terrorist groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba using Afghanistan as a base for attacks against India.
  • India is working to ensure that the Taliban does not allow such groups to operate from Afghan soil.
• Visa Issues:
  • The Taliban’s request for visas for Afghan businessmen, students, and patients to visit India faces logistical challenges, as India’s embassy in Kabul remains closed. However, India is open to issuing humanitarian visas.

KEY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

India’s long-term engagement in Afghanistan is visible through its investment in infrastructure and development projects, many of which have strategic importance:

• Salma Dam (Afghan-India Friendship Dam):
  • Completed in 2016, the Salma Dam is a 42 MW hydropower and irrigation project in Herat Province, providing water and power to thousands of Afghan homes.
  • However, the region has faced security challenges due to Taliban attacks.

• Stor Palace Restoration:
  • India collaborated with the Aga Khan Development Network to restore the Stor Palace in Kabul, an important historical site, further strengthening cultural ties.
• Zaranj-Delaram Highway:
  • Built by India’s Border Roads Organisation, this 218 km highway connects Zaranj (near Iran’s border) to Delaram. It enhances trade and transportation
  • India also used the Chabahar Port in Iran to ship goods to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan’s denial of overland access.
• Afghan Parliament Building (2015):
  • India constructed the Afghan Parliament Building at a cost of $90 million, symbolizing its support for democracy in Afghanistan.
  • The building remains a testament to India’s development cooperation with Afghanistan.
• Infrastructure and Health Projects:
  • India has built essential infrastructure in Afghanistan, including a 220kV transmission line to improve electricity supply to Kabul, and has helped restore telecommunications in several provinces.

BILATERAL TRADE RELATIONS

Trade relations between India and Afghanistan have continued despite the challenges, bolstered by initiatives like the air freight corridor:

• Trade Growth:

Bilateral trade crossed $1 billion in 2019-20, with India exporting products such as pharmaceuticals, cement, and sugar to Afghanistan, and Afghanistan exporting fruits to India.

• Air Freight Corridor:

In 2017, India established an air freight corridor to facilitate trade, particularly exports from Afghanistan to India, bypassing logistical challenges in the region.

STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF INDIA’S INVESTMENT

India’s involvement in Afghanistan goes beyond economic aid and is seen as a key part of its strategic objectives in the region:

• Counter Terrorism:

India aims to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorists who may target India. India is keen on ensuring the Taliban doesn’t support or harbor groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad or Lashkar-e-Taiba.

• Regional Connectivity:

Through projects like the Zaranj-Delaram Highway and Chabahar Port, India is improving regional connectivity and boosting trade routes that bypass Pakistan, further enhancing its strategic presence in Afghanistan.

• Soft Power:

India’s extensive development work in Afghanistan helps bolster its soft power in the region, enhancing its image and fostering goodwill among the Afghan people.

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