India’s Evolving Relations with the Taliban: Navigating a New Geopolitical Reality

In October 2025, India took a significant step in its foreign policy by engaging directly with Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government. This engagement was marked by the visit of Taliban Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi to New Delhi. The visit represents a major shift in India’s approach, moving from cautious distance to pragmatic diplomacy. It is important to note that while India has not formally recognized the Taliban government, this move reflects a careful recalibration aimed at protecting India’s strategic interests and promoting regional stability.

Historical Context

India’s relationship with Afghanistan has always been complex and deeply intertwined with regional geopolitics. After the Taliban first came to power in 1996, India opposed their rule due to the group’s extremist policies and alignment with Pakistan. India supported the Northern Alliance and provided aid to Afghanistan’s democratic institutions. During this period, India invested in infrastructure, healthcare, and education, strengthening ties with Afghan civil society.

However, in 2021, when the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, India’s immediate response was cautious. The Indian embassy in Kabul was temporarily closed, and diplomatic ties were limited. India’s focus during this period was on ensuring the safety of its citizens, managing humanitarian aid, and monitoring the rapidly evolving situation in Afghanistan. This cautious approach reflected India’s concerns about the Taliban’s ideology, human rights record, and their potential alignment with Pakistan.

The Need for Engagement

Over time, India realized that complete disengagement was not in its interest. Afghanistan shares a long border with India’s strategic neighborhood, and instability in the country could have direct implications for India’s security, economy, and regional influence. Engaging with the Taliban allows India to have a voice in Afghanistan’s future and ensures that its strategic concerns are addressed.

There are several reasons why India decided to engage with the Taliban now:

1. Counterbalancing Pakistan’s Influence: Pakistan has historically had a strong influence over Afghanistan, which has often worked against Indian interests. By establishing direct channels with the Taliban, India aims to mitigate Pakistan’s dominance and ensure that Afghanistan does not become a base for anti-India activities.

2. Addressing Security Concerns: Terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan, including IS-Khorasan, pose a threat to regional stability. By engaging with the Taliban, India can collaborate on intelligence-sharing and counterterrorism measures, helping to safeguard its own borders and citizens.

3. Regional Geopolitics and China’s Presence: China has increased its investments in Afghanistan, particularly in mining, infrastructure, and regional connectivity projects. India’s engagement with the Taliban ensures it remains a key player in Afghanistan and can influence the geopolitical balance in the region.

4. Humanitarian and Development Goals: Afghanistan faces severe humanitarian challenges, including food shortages, healthcare gaps, and lack of education opportunities. India has a history of providing aid, and a diplomatic presence allows for more effective delivery of assistance and development projects.

Key Areas of Cooperation

During Foreign Minister Muttaqi’s visit to India, discussions focused on several areas of mutual interest:

• Trade and Connectivity: One major area of cooperation is the reopening and expansion of trade routes, including connections via the Attari-Wagah border and Chabahar port in Iran. Reviving these routes could boost Afghanistan’s economy while enhancing India’s regional trade influence.

• Security Collaboration: Both sides discussed counterterrorism measures and agreed on the importance of addressing the threat posed by extremist groups. India also shared intelligence related to cross-border terrorist activities, helping the Taliban strengthen internal security measures.

• Cultural and Educational Ties: Recognizing the shared historical and cultural links, India and the Taliban explored initiatives for educational exchanges, scholarships, and cultural programs. These efforts aim to foster long-term people-to-people connections between the nations.

Challenges Ahead

Despite the positive aspects of engagement, India faces several challenges:

1. Human Rights Concerns: The Taliban’s record on women’s rights, freedom of expression, and minority protections remains a major concern. Engaging with them could be seen as tacit approval of policies that conflict with India’s democratic values.

2. International Perception: The global community remains divided on the issue of recognition of the Taliban. India has carefully maintained engagement without formal recognition, but critics argue that this delicate balance could be misunderstood both internationally and domestically.

3. Domestic Criticism: Within India, there is debate about the wisdom of engagement. While some support pragmatic diplomacy, others question whether India should be interacting with a regime that has a history of extremism and human rights violations.

4. Geopolitical Uncertainty: Afghanistan’s internal politics remain unpredictable, and the Taliban’s grip on power is not absolute. India must be prepared for changes in governance, internal conflicts, or emerging extremist threats that could impact its strategy.

Looking Ahead

India’s evolving relations with the Taliban represent a pragmatic approach to a complex geopolitical reality. By maintaining a diplomatic presence, India ensures that its voice is heard in Afghan affairs while protecting its national interests. The focus remains on fostering regional stability, countering terrorism, and facilitating humanitarian aid, rather than formal recognition of the Taliban government.

Going forward, India is likely to adopt a cautious but proactive strategy. This could involve continued engagement with the Taliban on security and economic matters, while simultaneously supporting democratic institutions and civil society in Afghanistan. Additionally, India may work with international partners to ensure that aid reaches vulnerable populations and that Afghanistan does not become a hub for extremist activities.

This shift in policy highlights India’s flexibility and realism in foreign relations. Rather than isolating itself, India is choosing to engage with complex realities, balancing ethics, security, and strategic interests. While challenges remain, this approach allows India to play an influential role in shaping Afghanistan’s future and ensuring that regional stability is maintained.

In conclusion, India’s engagement with the Taliban marks a significant development in its foreign policy. It reflects a pragmatic recognition of the geopolitical realities in South Asia, the need to secure strategic interests, and the importance of humanitarian engagement. While the path forward will require careful navigation of ethical and security challenges, India’s evolving approach demonstrates its commitment to adapting to changing circumstances while prioritizing regional peace and stability.

Source: Reuters