Changing Dynamics of Indo-Taliban Relations

Dr Sudershan Kumar
sudershan.sk12@gmail.com
The relationship between India and Afghanistan has historically been defined by cultural affinity, shared civilizational roots, and strategic cooperation. Yet, the emergence of Taliban as the dominant political force in Afghanistan has repeatedly reshaped this equation. The fall of Kabul in August 2021 and subsequent reassertion of Taliban control presented one of the most significant geopolitical challenges to India’s regional strategy in decades. While New Delhi once maintained a cautious distance from the Taliban due to their association with Pakistan and extremist ideologies, the recent shift in India’s diplomatic stance signals a pragmatic recognition of the new relations. India, which has invested over US $3billion in Afghanistan reconstruction projects during the democratic era, now faces the dilemma of balancing the long term commitment to the Afghani people with the necessity of engaging with a de facto regime. The Taliban, on their part, appear increasingly aware of India’s importance both as an economic partner and as a counter balance to Pakistan’s overbearing influence. The recent visit of the Taliban’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to India in 2025 following earlier quiet dialogues in Doha and Moscow formats, makes subtle yet important thaw in relations. The new phase of cautious engagement underscores India’s strategic maturity and adaptability. It also demonstrates New Delhi’s recognition that Afghanistan’s stability is central to South Asia’s security architecture the containment of terrorism, and regional trade connectivity especially through initiatives like Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor(INSTC).
At the same time, it reflects a nuanced understanding that cause executive diplomacy, rather than isolation may yield greater dividends in evolving geopolitical order of the 21 century. Therefore it is utmost important to know about history, present engagement, challenges, and its impact on South Asia and Global order. If one turns the pages of history, and finds that the relation between the people of Afghanistan and India trace to the Indus Valley Civilization. In the Vedic age Gandhara, which forms part of modern day Pakistan and Afghanistan, was considered one of the sixteen Mahajanpada of Vedic India. Following Alexander the Great brief occupation the successive state of the Seleucid Empire controlled the region known today’s Afghanistan. In 305BC, they ceded some regions to Mauryans controlled parts of modern day Afghanistan, and during this period Hinduism and Buddhism prevailed till Muslim conquerers invaded , eastern region of Afghanistan including the Kabul Valley and Zabalistan were considered actually a part of Indian sub continent.Between 10th century and the mid 18th century Northern India was invaded by a number of invaders based in what is today’s Afghanistan. Among them were the Ghaznavids, Ghunds, Khaleejis, Mughals and Durranies. In modern era, India-Afghanistan relations flourished post 1947 and both the nations maintained close ties but the Soviet Invasions in 1979 and subsequent geopolitical shift, however disrupted this equilibrium. India cautiously supported the Soviet backed Afghanistan government, while Pakistan and United States backed Mujahdeen, which laid the foundation for divergent regional alignment. Throughout 1980’s and 1990’s India maintained diplomatic engagement with legitimate Afghan Government but avoided direct involvement in internal conflicts. The rise of the Taliban in 1996, drastically altered the equation. Their extremist ideology, link to Pakistan Inter services intelligence (ISI) and harbouring of anti terror groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashker-e-Taiba forced India into an adversely stance. It is worth mentioning here that during the Taliban’s Government’s first regime, India adopted a policy of non recognition and strategic resistance.
The Taliban Government’s proximity with Islamabad and the role of Pakistan’s ISI in shaping the Afghan policy heightened India’s security concern. However, despite hostility, India maintained principled and cultural support to Afghan citizens during the Taliban’s rule.
This moral stand later helped India to regain after the Taliban, fall in 2001. However the resurgence of the Taliban in 2021 again put India in a position of recalibration. India initially evacuated its embassy and paused official engagement, aligning with the broader global hesitation. Yet, as months passed, New Delhi recognized that complete disengagement risked losing its decade’s long influence and investments. India began cautious re-engagement by reopening its technical mission in Kabul in 2022 and sending humanitarian aid including wheat, medicines, and vaccines. Unlike, the 1990’s the Taliban’s new leadership particularly under the pragmatic wing led by Mullah Baradar appeared more open to dialogue with India. One of the important aspects of this engagement that is the Taliban publicly stated that they would not allow Afghan soil to use against any country including India. This period marked a quite diplomacy phase, where India avoided political recognition of the Taliban but maintained working level contacts to safeguard its security and developmental interests.
It will not be out of context to mention here that India’s renewed engagement is guided by strategic realism, balancing idealism with grand realities. Besides, India-Taliban engagement carries significant implication in the following way.i) Economic and Connectivity Potential; If stability prevails, projects like Chabahar Port, INSTC, and TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) pipe line could reshape the trade routes linking central and South Asia.ii)Security And Counter Terrorism; India’s involvement can serve as a stability factor by promoting moderate governance in Afghanistan and deterring extremist spill over. iii) Regional Power Balance; India’s pragmatic out reach counters the Sino-Pak axis ensuring that South Asia’s strategic future is not dictated by Beijing. iv) India-Pakistan Rivalry; Warm relationship between India and the Taliban challenges Pakistan’s long standing narrative being Afghanistan’s only ally. The Taliban’s independence from Islamabad is seen in clashes at Durand line. This has opened a space for New Delhi’s Diplomacy.
Keeping all this in to consideration, New Delhi now perceives that Taliban engagement may help to reduce Pakistan’s monopoly over Afghani affairs, prevent radicalization projects, and reinforced regional stability vital for trade corridors. Parallelly, the Taliban view India an essential partner for infrastructure, medicines and technology areas, where Pakistan and China have failed to deliver substantially despite of positive overtures India’s engagement with the Taliban faces significant constraints.
Notably among them are, ideological divergences, human right concerns, unpredictability of the Taliban, and Pakistan’s disruptive role through extremist’s network, seeking to sabotage India’s growing footprint. Nevertheless India’s multi layer diplomacy involving quite talks, humanitarian aid, and regional coordination show promise in navigating these challenges.
The author is of the opinion that the changing dynamics of Indo-Taliban realities will exemplify the transition from isolation to engagement in India’s foreign policy. New Delhi’s instance is neither an endorsement of the Taliban regime nor a retreat from democratic principles. It is strategic adoption to a transformed regional landscape. A stable Afghanistan aligned with development priorities rather than extremist agendas serves the loudest of India, South Asia and the global community by combining, humanitarian assistance, infrastructure, support and calibrated diplomacy India can gradually influence the Taliban towards moderation and inclusivity. In the larger picture, Indo-Taliban engagement reflects India’s emergence as a mature geopolitical actor one that can pursue national interests without compromising its civilizational values. The evolution of this relationship will notably shape South Asia’s security architecture but will also define India’s role in multi-polar global order.

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