India has been cautiously recalibrating its relationship with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, marking a notable shift in its geopolitical strategy in the region. This evolving dynamic, driven by a mix of strategic interests, security concerns, and humanitarian considerations, represents a significant development after a period of strained relations following the Taliban's takeover in August 2021.
One of the most significant indicators of this shift is the increased diplomatic engagement between India and the Taliban. In January 2025, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with Taliban's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai, which was the highest-level meeting between the two sides since the fall of Kabul. During the meeting, discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties, expanding trade, and leveraging Iran's Chabahar port to bypass Pakistan for trade. Muttaqi also sought assistance in issuing Indian visas for Afghan traders and patients, as well as the release of Afghan prisoners held in India. Building on this, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had a phone conversation with Muttaqi in May 2025, further solidifying the diplomatic channel. Jaishankar welcomed the Taliban's condemnation of a recent terrorist attack and their rejection of attempts to create distrust between the two countries.
India's engagement is also motivated by its long-standing investments in Afghanistan's development. India has invested over $3 billion in more than 500 projects across all 34 Afghan provinces, focusing on essential sectors such as energy, water infrastructure, transport, healthcare, education, agriculture, and capacity building. Despite the change in regime, India has expressed its readiness to continue supporting the Afghan people through humanitarian assistance and development projects. This includes providing wheat, medicines, and vaccines.
However, India's approach is not without its challenges and complexities. A key concern for India is the presence of terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which have links to the Taliban and Pakistan's ISI. India has consistently emphasized that Afghan soil must not be used for terrorist activities against any country. There are also concerns about the potential for Afghanistan to become a hub for anti-India activities. Furthermore, while engaging with the Taliban, India is also likely to be mindful of the human rights situation in Afghanistan, particularly the rights of women and minorities.
Despite these challenges, India's decision to engage with the Taliban reflects a pragmatic recognition of the geopolitical realities in the region. With the Taliban now in control of Afghanistan, India recognizes the need to protect its strategic interests and maintain its influence in the country. This engagement also allows India to address its security concerns and ensure that Afghanistan does not become a safe haven for terrorists. Moreover, India's outreach can be seen as an attempt to balance the growing influence of other regional powers, such as China and Pakistan, in Afghanistan.
The evolving relationship between India and the Taliban is a complex and multifaceted one. While India has made it clear that it does not formally recognize the Taliban regime, it has also taken steps to engage with them on various fronts. This engagement is driven by a combination of strategic interests, security concerns, and humanitarian considerations. As the situation in Afghanistan continues to evolve, India's approach will likely remain cautious and pragmatic, with a focus on protecting its interests and supporting the Afghan people.
