Are Bharat And The Taliban Coming Together As A Strategic Move?

What does this new relationship mean for New Delhi and the Taliban regime? For India, it is a calculated and strategic move to reestablish its influence in Afghanistan, while for the Taliban, the benefits are both immediate and long-term

In the past 182 years, spanning from 1839 to 2021, three military powers—the British, the Soviets, and the Americans—have learned the hard way that defeating Afghans in their homeland is futile. On the other hand, Bharat has repeatedly demonstrated that respecting Afghan pride is the key to fostering goodwill and achieving tangible outcomes.

The recent meeting in Dubai between India's Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, and Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, underscores the effectiveness of India’s soft power diplomacy. It serves as another example of Bharat’s commitment to promoting regional and global peace through dialogue and mutual respect, resonating with Prime Minister Modi’s message: This is "not an era of war.”

A Significant Step in Indo-Taliban Relations

Bharat and the Taliban recently engaged in talks, marking a turning point in their relationship since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. For Pakistan, which had long considered the Taliban its strategic asset, this new twist in Indo-Taliban engagement will turn out to be a bitter pill to swallow. Pakistan, once celebrated its influence over the Taliban, now finds its creation warming up to its arch-rival, India. This development is bound to cause sleepless nights for the Pakistani establishment, particularly the Army and ISI, and constant heartburn for their ideological cheerleaders.

But what does this new relationship mean for New Delhi and the Taliban regime? For India, it is a calculated and strategic move to reestablish its influence in Afghanistan, while for the Taliban, the benefits are both immediate and long-term.

What’s in it for the Taliban Regime?

There is a popular saying among Afghans: 'We know how to count our money,' which reflects their skill in identifying where their true interests lie. While the Taliban may come across as a rustic force rooted in rigid Sharia laws, they are far from being geopolitically naive. Pakistan’s utility to the Taliban has dwindled; it offers neither financial aid nor military support nor meaningful geopolitical leverage. Similarly, the Taliban’s relationship with Iran- its western neighbour and the Central Asian republics in its North provide little immediate or long-term value.

Bharat, however, offers a unique proposition to the Taliban beyond material resources. New Delhi could play a pivotal role in rallying international acceptance of the Taliban regime. By maintaining dialogue and engaging in projects that benefit the Afghan people, India positions itself as a reliable partner—one without ulterior motives or conditionalities, as it has always done in the past decades.

India’s Unwavering Commitment

Even after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, India never truly exited Afghanistan. Its engagement merely paused to reassess and recalibrate its approach. Indian policymakers have consistently emphasised their relationship with the Afghan people, not just its ruling government. Between 2001 and 2021, India’s people-centric projects, developed in collaboration with successive Afghan governments, laid the groundwork for continued cooperation during Taliban regime 2.0.

The Principle of Non-Interference

Bharat’s foreign policy generally avoids interfering in the internal matters of other nation-states, operating on the principle that local leaders are best suited to address their people’s needs. This approach, while sometimes at odds with Western interventionist policies, resonates with many countries, including Afghanistan. India’s non-prescriptive stance—respecting the sovereignty and cultural contexts of its partners—has fostered goodwill and trust.

The People-to-People Bridge

India and Afghanistan share a deep cultural and historical connection. During my 12-year stay in Afghanistan, I encountered countless Afghans who appreciated India’s neutrality even during periods of intense conflict in the 1980s and 1990s. While some Pashtuns believed India leaned toward the Northern Alliance led by Ahmad Shah Massoud, they acknowledged that Bharat’s support was primarily non-military and focused on humanitarian aid like medical supplies and food.

This neutrality ensured that, despite geopolitical divisions, India remained connected to Afghans on a personal level. Cultural, historical, and humanitarian ties formed an invisible bridge that continues to bind the two nations.

A Geopolitical Imperative

For Bharat, maintaining a presence in Afghanistan is a geopolitical necessity. Pakistan has long viewed Afghanistan as its strategic depth and the Taliban as an asset to counter India. Thus, having a non-hostile regime in Kabul—or at the very least, one that does not act against Bharat's interests at Pakistan’s behest—is crucial for India. By engaging directly with the people, India gains valuable human intelligence, which is critical to safeguarding its geopolitical interests.

Navigating Ethical Dilemmas

The Taliban regime’s treatment of women and its broader human rights record is a matter of concern for India, the world’s largest democracy. However, India recognises that preaching reform or imposing values on the Taliban would be counterproductive. Change in deeply religious and traditional societies takes time. Yash Mehta, a Chartered Accountant & Consultant who worked eight years in Afghanistan as a Financial Consultant for the World Bank, says Saudi Arabia, for instance, took decades to grant women the right to drive, even with significant exposure to global norms and education. Expecting rapid reform in Afghanistan within a few years would be unrealistic.

Bharat’s approach is to foster gradual change by engaging with the Taliban rather than isolating them. Through developmental projects and people-centric initiatives, New Delhi aims to improve the lives of Afghans, particularly women, without directly challenging the regime’s political or religious framework. Soft power, patience, and persistence will likely yield more meaningful and lasting results.

Bharat’s strategy in Afghanistan—grounded in soft power diplomacy, cultural connections, and a long-term vision—starkly contrasts the military approaches of other global powers. By respecting Afghan pride and focusing on the welfare of its people, Bharat has positioned itself as a trusted partner in the region. While challenges remain, this pragmatic and humane approach ensures that India continues to play a constructive role in Afghanistan’s journey toward stability and development.

(The author is Founder of My Startup TV)