Recently, senior officials from India and Afghanistan met in Dubai and conversed on several issues ranging from security concerns to cricket.

Diplomatic Engagements with Afghanistan

• High-Level Talks: Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi held discussions in Dubai, marking the highest-level engagement between India and the Taliban since 2021.
  • The talks centered on expanding bilateral relations, enhancing trade via Iran’s Chabahar Port, and potential collaborative development projects.
• Security concern: India aims to stabilize its relationship with Afghanistan’s current leadership to maintain its regional influence and counterbalance the roles of China and Pakistan.
  • For example: India initially distanced itself from Myanmar’s military regime, advocating for democratic governance and supporting pro-democracy movements. 
  • This period of non-engagement allowed China to strengthen its strategic and economic ties with Myanmar, thereby expanding its influence in the region.
  • Recognizing the geopolitical implications of China’s deepening presence, India recalibrated its foreign policy in the mid-1990s.
  • Adopting a pragmatic approach, India initiated diplomatic and economic engagement with Myanmar’s ruling authorities, prioritizing security and political interests over the promotion of democratic principles. 

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Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations

• Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have worsened following Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika province, reportedly resulting in civilian casualties.

Afghanistan’s Geopolitical Significance

• Strategic Position: Afghanistan’s strategic location has positioned it as a central player in global politics, influencing interactions among major powers. Its proximity to Central Asia, the Middle East, and South Asia has made it a focal point of international interest.
• Buffer Zone : During the 19th century, Afghanistan served as a buffer zone amid the rivalry between Czarist Russia and imperial Britain.
  Cold War Era: In the Cold War period, Afghanistan became a central point of contention between the United States and the Soviet Union.
  Post-9/11 Period: Following the events of September 11, 2001, Afghanistan once again became a focal point in global geopolitics during the “war on terror.”
  • The United States initially supported Afghan mujahideen fighters during the 1980s Soviet invasion. After the Taliban’s rise in the 1990s, the U.S. designated them as a terrorist organization. 
  • Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the U.S. led a coalition to remove the Taliban from power. 
  • Despite this, the Taliban regrouped, benefiting from support and sanctuary in neighboring Pakistan, which significantly hindered U.S. efforts to defeat them. 
  • After nearly two decades of conflict, the U.S. signed an agreement with the Taliban in 2020, leading to the withdrawal of American forces and the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021.
• India-Afghanistan Relations: The relationship between India and Afghanistan is ancient, tracing back to the Indus Valley civilization. Post-India’s independence, this bond was formalized with the signing of the Treaty of Friendship on January 4, 1950, laying the foundation for enduring bilateral relations

Evolution of India-Taliban Engagements Post USA evasion

• Initial Contact (2021): Indian Ambassador Deepak Mittal met Taliban leaders in Doha days after the Taliban seized power.
• Subsequent Meetings: Indian officials maintained low-key engagements, including Joint Secretary J P Singh’s meetings with Taliban leaders in 2022.
• Increased Engagement: A technical team was stationed at the Indian embassy in Kabul to ensure continuity in projects.

India-Taliban Relations

• Afghanistan Policy: India has diligently crafted its policy towards Afghanistan by maintaining a balance between serving its national interests and meeting the needs of the Afghan population, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to democratic values and humanitarian assistance.
• Impact of the Taliban’s Rise: The relationship between India and Afghanistan was affected when the Taliban rose to power in the 1990s, with backing from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). 
  • This impact was further exacerbated after the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC814 in Kandahar in 1999.
• Rebuilding Post-Taliban Era: The relationship began to improve with the partial restoration of democracy in 2001 when Hamid Karzai became the country’s president.
  • India re-engaged in the reconstruction of Afghanistan across various sectors, including infrastructure, defense, health, and education. Since 2001, India has offered $1.2 billion for Afghanistan’s reconstruction, making it the largest regional donor to the country.

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Conclusion

India’s diplomatic engagement with the Taliban in Dubai reflects a strategic effort to safeguard its national interests while promoting regional stability and humanitarian objectives. 

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