In diplomacy, there are no permanent friends or foes-only enduring interests. This timeless principle finds clear expression in the evolving dynamics between India and Afghanistan. The visit of Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to New Delhi marks a decisive step in reshaping bilateral ties after years of uncertainty following the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul. The decision to upgrade India’s technical mission in Kabul to a full-fledged embassy, alongside Afghanistan’s plan to send diplomats to New Delhi, signals a mutual recognition of shared interests that transcend ideology or political systems.
Historically, India has been one of Afghanistan’s most steadfast partners. From infrastructure projects like the Salma Dam and the Afghan Parliament building to humanitarian aid and capacity-building initiatives, India’s footprint in Afghanistan has always reflected a policy rooted in friendship, stability, and regional cooperation. The Taliban’s earlier hostility towards India is well documented, but the group now appears to be seeking a pragmatic reset-acknowledging that a cooperative relationship with New Delhi can yield tangible economic and strategic dividends. For Afghanistan, the logic is clear. After four years of Taliban rule and minimal international recognition, Kabul urgently needs economic partners and legitimacy. India, with its expertise in infrastructure, education, and technology, remains a natural partner in rebuilding Afghanistan’s fragile economy. Muttaqi’s invitation to Indian businesses to invest in mining, energy, and infrastructure highlights a growing realisation within Kabul’s leadership that engagement, not isolation, is the key to stability.
From India’s perspective, re-engagement with Afghanistan is not merely about humanitarian goodwill-it is a matter of strategic necessity. Afghanistan remains a vital land bridge connecting South Asia with Central Asia and beyond. An economically integrated Afghanistan, especially one open to Indian influence, is a counterweight to both Pakistan and China’s growing assertiveness in the region. The Taliban’s assurance that Afghan soil will not be used to harm other countries directly addresses India’s long-standing security concerns about cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghan territory. Equally important is the potential synergy over the Chabahar port project in Iran. With U.S. sanctions complicating trade routes, Chabahar offers India an alternative corridor to Central Asia and Europe, bypassing Pakistan altogether. Muttaqi’s call for India and Afghanistan to jointly remove obstacles to Chabahar’s full development aligns perfectly with India’s strategic priorities. A functional trade corridor linking Mumbai, Chabahar, and Kabul could redefine the economic map of the region, offering both nations new opportunities for trade, transit, and investment.
The geopolitical angle cannot be ignored. Pakistan’s hostility towards both New Delhi and Kabul has created an unusual convergence of interests between the two neighbours. Recent Afghan criticism of Pakistan’s border attacks and interference marks a shift in regional alignments. A coordinated understanding between India and Afghanistan effectively forces Pakistan’s military to guard both its western and eastern borders, thereby stretching its resources and strategic bandwidth. This emerging equation subtly strengthens India’s hand without direct confrontation.
The Taliban’s refusal to allow foreign military bases, including U.S. requests for access to the Bagram airbase, has also positioned Afghanistan as a sovereign actor asserting its independence. This stance aligns with India’s broader vision of a multipolar Asia free from external domination. Furthermore, the recent Moscow Format meeting-where 11 nations, including India, Russia, China, and Iran, opposed foreign military deployment in Afghanistan-shows a growing regional consensus for cooperative security frameworks. In this context, New Delhi’s renewed engagement with Kabul enhances its diplomatic leverage within a wider coalition of regional powers seeking stability and autonomy.
Of course, caution is warranted. But diplomacy is about working with realities, not idealism. By engaging rather than isolating Kabul, India can retain influence and shape outcomes from within. Quiet diplomacy and calibrated engagement will be essential tools in this process. The re-establishment of embassies and direct diplomatic contact is only the first step. What follows must be a structured roadmap-expanding economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and joint infrastructure projects, while maintaining a firm line on terrorism and extremism. If managed with strategic foresight and mutual respect, this renewed partnership could redefine South-Central Asian geopolitics for decades to come.
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