Five years after Kabul fell, how India has warmed up to the Taliban

Five years after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, India's relationship with the Islamist regime has warmed up significantly. On August 15, 2021, the Afghanistan embassy in New Delhi celebrated the Taliban's victory day, marking the group's takeover of the country. Since then, India has been conducting business with the Taliban, albeit without granting official diplomatic recognition.

The "victory day" celebration in Delhi, attended by Indian and foreign diplomats, signaled that India is moving from cautious engagement to a more open relationship with the Taliban. However, this shift has been met with criticism as "opportunistic" by some. India's engagement with the Taliban is driven by several factors. Firstly, Pakistan, the Taliban's benefactor and ally, has become a rival, leading to border clashes.

Secondly, China is building bridges with Afghanistan, filling the vacuum left by the US, Europe, and the West. Lastly, Russia has established diplomatic ties with the Taliban, and India is working with Moscow to monitor Chinese influence.

India's outreach to the Taliban is based on the principle that Afghanistan's territory should not be used for anti-India activities or support for terrorist groups. The UN Security Council's 1267 sanctions committee report states that the terrorist threat in Afghanistan remains unchanged, but India is optimistic that the Taliban will handle security concerns reasonably.

The Indian government's $2-3 billion investment in Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban in 2001 has motivated the shift in engagement. The Afghan government, now under Taliban control, has implemented Sharia law, strengthened security, and consolidated stability, creating opportunities for regional connectivity and economic cooperation.