RASC News Agency: Afrasiab Khattak, a former Pakistani senator, observed that India’s recent diplomatic engagement with the Taliban reflects New Delhi’s evolving stance toward Afghanistan. Last week, an Indian foreign ministry official traveled to Kabul, meeting with the Taliban’s Foreign and Defense Ministers, as part of India’s efforts to assess the regional dynamics and recalibrate its approach.
In an interview, Khattak explained that the longstanding India-Pakistan rivalry has now extended into Afghanistan territory, with Taliban leaders showing a willingness to build relations with both nations. J.P. Singh, who oversees Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, visited Afghanistan on November 5. The Taliban, quoting Singh, announced that upcoming technical talks involving Iran, Afghanistan, and India would address the Chabahar port, a critical regional trade hub linking the three countries.
During his visit, Singh also met with Mullah Yaqoob, the Taliban’s Defense Minister, to discuss expanding bilateral relations. Although India had previously maintained close ties with Afghanistan’s former government, it has gradually sought to establish constructive ties with the Taliban since their return to power. New Delhi has consistently affirmed its commitment to fostering positive relations with Afghanistan and its people, regardless of the ruling authority.
Despite Pakistan’s sensitivities over India’s involvement in Afghanistan, the Taliban have expressed an openness to engage with New Delhi, and the Modi administration has reciprocated with cautious steps, positioning India as one of the few regional actors with a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan. On Wednesday, November 6, the Taliban’s Ministry of Defense issued a statement noting both parties’ shared interest in deepening bilateral cooperation, especially in humanitarian efforts and other agreed-upon areas. The statement underscored a mutual commitment to strengthening interactions between India and the Taliban.
Previously, Mullah Yaqoob, in an interview with India’s News18 network, voiced his interest in sending Taliban forces to India for training. He assured the network that he saw no impediment to Indian military training programs for Taliban personnel, indicating a potentially significant shift in the Taliban’s diplomatic and defense engagements with India.
