New Delhi, Oct.11,2025:India Taliban Relations have entered a new and complex phase in 2025 as New Delhi opens high-level talks with the Taliban regime for the first time since the group’s return to power in Kabul in August 2021. The visit of Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to New Delhi marks a significant shift in India’s foreign policy approach — one that blends realism, strategy, and necessity-
While India had previously maintained a cautious distance from the Taliban, the recent engagement reflects a pragmatic shift in its diplomacy, aimed at safeguarding its long-term interests in Afghanistan and maintaining influence in a rapidly evolving regional order.
Taliban Foreign Minister in New Delhi
On Friday, Taliban’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, a figure listed under the United Nations Security Council’s sanctions list, arrived in New Delhi for a series of high-level meetings with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
This is the first official visit by a Taliban minister to India since the group’s 2021 takeover. During the meeting, Jaishankar announced India’s decision to upgrade its “technical mission” in Kabul to a full-fledged embassy, signaling a gradual restoration of diplomatic presence that was suspended after the fall of the Ashraf Ghani government.
India has not formally recognized the Taliban regime — much like most of the international community — yet the optics of the meeting demonstrate a new phase of cautious engagement. Only Russia has officially recognized the Taliban so far.
Why India Is Engaging the Taliban Now
China established diplomatic channels with the Taliban immediately after the 2021 takeover, but India waited four years before making its move. Analysts say the timing of this renewed contact is strategic.
According to Dr. Anuradha Chenoy, former Dean of the School of International Studies at JNU, “Inviting Amir Khan Muttaqi is a wise decision by India. Ignoring the Taliban could increase instability in South Asia, especially with tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan intensifying.”
India’s renewed engagement aims to ensure that Afghanistan’s territory is not used for anti-India terrorism, while also creating space for economic and strategic cooperation that benefits both sides.
Counterterrorism and Regional Stability
A key element driving India Taliban Relations is their shared interest in combating terrorism. The Taliban regime sees the Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K) as a direct threat to Afghanistan’s stability, while India remains deeply concerned about terrorism emanating from the region.
India has consistently raised its voice at international platforms against terrorism, and the Taliban, eager to gain legitimacy, has shown readiness to cooperate against ISIS-K. This convergence forms the backbone of their evolving diplomatic engagement.
Both sides agree on ensuring that Afghanistan’s soil will not be used against Indian interests, a concern that had dominated India’s policy decisions during the U.S. withdrawal and after.
China and Pakistan
India’s outreach to the Taliban also reflects broader regional calculations. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is expanding into Afghanistan, while Pakistan’s influence over the Taliban has historically been strong.
However, recent years have seen a rift between Islamabad and Kabul, with Pakistan conducting air strikes in Afghan territory — an act the Taliban condemned.
Strategic expert Brahma Chellaney described Muttaqi’s visit as “a setback for Pakistan” and “a turning point in India Taliban Relations,” signaling New Delhi’s intent to regain strategic space in Afghanistan.
India aims to prevent Afghanistan from becoming an exclusive Chinese or Pakistani sphere of influence, while the Taliban, seeking alternative partners, views India as a counterbalance to overdependence on Islamabad or Beijing.
Voices of Support and Skepticism
While many foreign policy experts welcome India’s move, not everyone is pleased. Afghan journalist Habib Khan expressed disappointment, writing on X (formerly Twitter):
“As an Afghan, I admire India’s contributions — the Salma Dam, Parliament, and roads — but normalizing ties with the Taliban feels like betrayal. They seized our country by force and suppressed women’s rights.”
Khan’s statement captures a widespread sentiment among Afghans who view the Taliban as an illegitimate regime. For India, balancing moral diplomacy and strategic realism remains a delicate act.
Economic and Cultural Links That Bind India and Afghanistan
For decades, India and Afghanistan have shared deep cultural, historical, and developmental ties. Before 2021, India invested over $3 billion in Afghanistan’s infrastructure — constructing the Afghan Parliament building, Salma Dam, Zaranj-Delaram Highway, and several hospitals and schools.
Even after the Taliban takeover, India continued to send humanitarian aid, including wheat, medicines, and COVID-19 vaccines.
“Afghanistan has always been a close friend of India, historically and culturally. Even Taliban officials respect India’s contributions. Governments may change, but the people-to-people bond remains strong.”
He also noted that Taliban representatives have assured India that no anti-India activities will be allowed from Afghan soil, emphasizing a new level of trust not seen during the 1990s.
Challenges in India Taliban Relations
Despite progress, several major challenges persist.
- India has not officially recognized the Taliban government, maintaining a cautious balance between dialogue and diplomatic restraint.
- Human rights violations, restrictions on women’s education, and lack of an inclusive political structure continue to raise ethical and global concerns.
- Excessive proximity to the Taliban could invite international criticism from Western nations wary of legitimizing the group.
Dr. Chenoy highlights this dilemma-
“India won’t suddenly recognize the Taliban, but it also can’t ignore them. Engagement is the only way to influence outcomes.”
The Hindu’s Diplomatic Affairs Editor Suhasini Haidar raised a provocative question:
“If India reopens its embassy in Kabul, will it accept a Taliban-appointed envoy in New Delhi? Will the black-and-white Taliban flag replace Afghanistan’s tricolor at the embassy?”
These symbolic but critical questions underline the uncertainty surrounding the next phase of India Taliban Relations.
Expert Opinions on the Diplomatic Rebalance
Analysts across think tanks view India’s latest move as a calculated diplomatic gamble.
Michael Kugelman, South Asia Director at the Wilson Centre, observed:
“India’s outreach shows flexibility and pragmatism. It allows New Delhi to protect its interests in Afghanistan while taking advantage of growing tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban.”
Harsh V. Pant from the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that the Taliban’s estrangement from Pakistan gives India an opportunity to re-establish influence.
“Afghanistan is asserting independence from Pakistan, and India’s engagement gives it a platform to showcase this new autonomy.”
For India, the approach is clear: “Talk without recognition.” It allows dialogue, humanitarian cooperation, and security coordination while maintaining international credibility.
A Delicate Dance of Diplomacy
The evolving India Taliban Relations represent a pragmatic recalibration of New Delhi’s foreign policy — one driven by security, strategic, and humanitarian imperatives.
India’s decision to engage, rather than isolate, acknowledges the Taliban’s enduring control over Afghanistan. Yet it remains cautious, aware of the regime’s controversial record on human rights and women’s freedoms.
