In a Historic Shift, Taliban Foreign Minister Visits India as Islamabad-Kabul Ties Collapse; Delhi Balances Realpolitik with Security Concerns
Masoodul Hasan
As Pakistan-Afghanistan relations sharply deteriorate, India has made a bold diplomatic move by hosting Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi — a visit that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago.
The development marks a significant shift in India’s Afghan policy, guided by strategic pragmatism and national security interests.
India’s motivations for engaging with the Taliban are rooted in safeguarding its national interests, particularly countering terror threats from groups like the Islamic State (IS), al-Qaeda, and Pakistan-backed outfits.
According to sources, Muttaqi has assured New Delhi that Afghanistan will not allow its soil to be used for any terrorist activity against India.
Revisiting History, Rebuilding Trust
The visit carries symbolic weight — it comes over two decades after the bitter memories of the 1999 IC-814 hijacking, when the Taliban regime in Kandahar, working in close coordination with Pakistan’s ISI, had played a dubious role.
Yet, driven by geopolitical necessity, India appears to be carefully recalibrating its approach toward the Taliban government in Kabul.
The eight-day visit of Muttaqi, who had served as Director General of Administrative Affairs during the 1999 crisis, will conclude on October 16.
He and his delegation arrived from Moscow after meeting Russian officials. Notably, Russia remains the only major power to formally recognize the Taliban government, which took control of Afghanistan in August 2021.
Diplomatic Breakthroughs and Symbolism
In a key signal of changing times, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar referred to Muttaqi as the “Afghanistan Foreign Minister”, hinting at a possible upgrade in diplomatic ties.
Currently, India operates only a “technical mission” in Kabul, but plans may be underway to restore a full-fledged embassy with an appointed ambassador.
On Monday, a 13-member delegation of Afghan Sikhs and Hindus met Muttaqi in Delhi to discuss the possibility of their return to Afghanistan.
In response, the Taliban minister welcomed them back, assuring safety and support to restart their businesses.
These communities had fled Taliban persecution earlier, and India had offered them citizenship under the NRC framework.
A Blow to Pakistan, A Win for Indian Diplomacy
The visit is seen as a major diplomatic setback for Pakistan, which historically enjoyed deep ties with the Taliban regime.
Muttaqi’s trip follows a rapid deterioration in Pakistan-Taliban relations, as both sides engage in border clashes and political disputes.
Muttaqi, who received a temporary UN travel exemption, visited Russia and India sequentially — a diplomatic route that underscores the Taliban’s new strategic alignment.
Analysts note that the Taliban, once heavily dependent on Islamabad, is now seeking autonomy and legitimacy through engagement with major regional powers like India and Russia.
Realpolitik at Work
India, which had supported the Western-backed Afghan government toppled in 2021, is now showing pragmatism and realpolitik by engaging with the Taliban.
“Closer cooperation between us contributes to your national development as well as regional stability,” said Jaishankar, reaffirming India’s commitment to Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity — a pointed remark believed to be aimed at Pakistan.
Muttaqi, calling India a “close friend”, said his visit would improve bilateral relations.
In a significant statement, he condemned the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir and recognized Kashmir as a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan — an unusual departure from Pakistan’s traditional position.
Strategic Context: Taliban’s Growing Distance from Pakistan
Observers believe the Taliban’s strained ties with Pakistan have opened the door for new diplomatic alignments.
By engaging with India, the Taliban hopes to diversify its partnerships and gain international legitimacy, signaling that it is no longer Islamabad’s proxy.
The Taliban’s distrust of Pakistan dates back to 2021, when Pakistani military and ISI officers entered Kabul after the fall of the Ghani government — an act that sparked internal tensions.
Strengthening relations with India not only boosts Kabul’s regional stature but also helps it counterbalance Pakistan’s influence.
India’s Strategic Calculus
For India, the engagement serves multiple objectives: enhancing regional security, countering extremist threats, and improving connectivity with Iran and Central Asia to offset China-Pakistan influence.
However, both sides remain cautious — their relationship is still tactical and interest-based, shaped by historical mistrust and domestic sensitivities.
Delhi’s approach reflects hard-headed diplomacy — balancing security imperatives with the need for regional stability.
As the geopolitical map of South Asia continues to shift, India’s outreach to the Taliban underlines a new phase of strategic realism in its foreign policy.
( M Hasan is former Chief of Bureau Hindustan Times, Lucknow)
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