High geopolitical tensions often create space for unlikely diplomatic resets. While India and Pakistan are once again locked in a bitter standoff following a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir, another shift appears to be quietly unfolding — between New Delhi and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
On May 15, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a phone conversation with the Taliban’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi — marking the first political-level contact between the two since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in 2021. Though India has not formally recognised the Taliban-led government, this exchange signals a noteworthy change in approach.
So, why is India reaching out to the Taliban now? And what does this mean for regional power dynamics — especially amid rising hostility with Pakistan?
A phone call with layered signals
The call between Jaishankar and Muttaqi comes at a highly sensitive time. Days earlier, a terror attack in Pahalgam claimed the lives of 26 civilians. The attackers were reportedly linked to Pakistan-based groups. In a rare move, the Taliban administration publicly condemned the attack, describing it as an act of terror and expressing condolences to the victims’ families.
Following the phone call, India’s External Affairs Minister thanked the Afghan side for its stand. He also reaffirmed India’s historical ties with the Afghan people and discussed possible areas of cooperation in development.
Importantly, Jaishankar welcomed the Afghan minister’s dismissal of attempts to create distrust between the two countries. This was seen as a reference to claims in some quarters — particularly in Pakistan — suggesting that India might have staged the Pahalgam attack to provoke tensions.
Interestingly, while India mentioned the terror attack in its readout, the Afghan side refrained from doing so. Instead, their focus was on deepening practical cooperation. The Taliban expressed interest in expanding bilateral trade, securing more Indian visas for Afghan nationals — especially medical patients — and facilitating the release and repatriation of Afghan prisoners currently in Indian jails. The development of the Chabahar port in Iran, a project of strategic importance for both nations, was also discussed.
India-Taliban ties: From caution to contact
Since the Taliban’s return to power, India has carefully avoided any formal recognition of the group’s rule. However, that has not prevented backchannel engagement and growing people-to-people connections.
Over the past year, several senior Indian officials have visited Afghanistan. A top Indian diplomat visited Kabul twice in 2023, meeting both the Taliban’s acting foreign and defence ministers. In early 2024, another significant diplomatic interaction took place — this time in Dubai — where senior Indian diplomats met Muttaqi again.
During these engagements, the Taliban has expressed its interest in stronger ties with India, recognising it as a major regional force. Discussions have reportedly revolved around increasing economic engagement, and using the Chabahar port as a trade corridor — a critical alternative to Pakistan’s ports in Karachi and Gwadar.
The Taliban’s diplomatic outreach toward India, a country that has traditionally avoided close ties with the group, has been described as a strategic victory by some observers. However, New Delhi’s approach remains calculated, without extending formal legitimacy to the Taliban regime.
A shift triggered by Pakistan’s isolation?
India’s cautious but increasing engagement with the Taliban is also being viewed through the lens of India-Pakistan rivalry. Analysts suggest that by opening lines of communication with Kabul, New Delhi is attempting to deny Pakistan exclusive influence over Afghanistan.
Some believe India is trying to ensure that Afghan soil is not used for anti-India activities — a concern that has persisted over the decades. In return, India may offer limited diplomatic and humanitarian engagement, including continued aid and reconstruction support.
Such a strategy also helps New Delhi counter growing narratives pushed by Pakistani media and officials, who have accused India of military actions inside Afghan territory — allegations denied by both India and the Taliban.
Interestingly, the Taliban appears increasingly comfortable pushing back against its former patron. As tensions between Islamabad and Kabul grow — particularly over border security and terrorist havens — the Taliban seems to be exploring new strategic partnerships. And India, despite its historical mistrust of the Taliban, is emerging as one such possibility.
China’s growing shadow and India’s balancing act
There’s also a China angle to this shift. Since the Taliban took over in 2021, Beijing has significantly expanded its economic and diplomatic footprint in Afghanistan. India’s renewed engagement can be seen as a balancing effort, aimed at ensuring it retains a role in Afghanistan’s future.
Experts point out that Afghanistan is critical for India not just because of geography, but also because of its strategic location between Central and South Asia. As regional power dynamics evolve — particularly with China and Pakistan drawing closer — India may see engagement with the Taliban as necessary, even if difficult.
What lies ahead?
While India’s engagement with the Taliban is growing, it remains limited and highly strategic. There is no indication that formal recognition is on the horizon. But a clear shift has occurred — from watching developments in Kabul at arm’s length to actively engaging at the highest political level.
The Taliban too appears keen to diversify its external relationships and may see India as a stabilising force amid its deteriorating ties with Pakistan. Whether this newfound openness translates into long-term partnership or remains a temporary alignment born out of shared concerns — only time will tell.
