9 October 2025, NIICE Commentary 11811
Lipun kumar Sanbad
Taliban Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Amir Khan Muttaqi, made a historic visit to India on 9th October, 2025. It’s the first visit by a senior member of the Taliban since the group returned to power in 2021. This is a diplomatic activity that is intended to enhance economic, political, and trade relations between the two countries. In the visit, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar proclaimed that India would reestablish its embassy in Kabul that had been shut four years previously after the Taliban seized control. The reopening of the embassy is a great indication of the change in the attitude towards Afghanistan by India as it is no longer in the non-recognition mode but one of cautious engagement. Although the Taliban government is not officially recognized by India, this action highlights that this country has introduced a practical change in its foreign policy, which is concerned with the stability of the region and its interests. Another aspect that can be brought to the fore by the visit is the attempt by the Taliban to gain international legitimacy and to interact with the regional powers to have economic and diplomatic backing. This is especially interesting considering the historical nuances and poor relations between India and the Taliban, and general geopolitical processes in the region involving Pakistan and other participants.
Diplomatic Engagement and Strategic Interests
This visit has become a major breakthrough in South Asian diplomacy. India’s move to reopen its embassy in Kabul is an indication of a strategic approach to foreign policy on Afghanistan. Through the re-establishment of a diplomatic presence, India is attempting to protect its interests in the region, especially in relation to the security of its investments as well as the welfare of its people in Afghanistan. The reopening of the embassy is also useful to the resumption or continuation of humanitarian aid and trade relations, where India has been especially active since the Taliban returned to power. In addition, this action will enable India to have a point of contact with the Taliban, and thus, it can be used to keep track of events in Afghanistan and shape stability in the region. In the case of the Taliban, a strategy of dealing with India would provide the group with a chance to attain international legitimacy and economic aid, which is important in their administration and reconstruction of the nation. The Jaishankar and Muttaqi talks would touch upon trade, healthcare cooperation, consular, and port access, which are important in the economic revival of Afghanistan. This diplomatic intervention signals a change in the ideological opposition to the practical collaboration with each other because of the shared interests in the stability and development of the region.
Economic Cooperation and Regional Connectivity
The India-Taliban bilateral talks are at the economic cooperation front. India has played a great role in the development of Afghanistan by giving humanitarian assistance, infrastructural development, and educational assistance. As the embassy is reopened, there is a possibility to strengthen these measures, devoting their efforts to such areas as healthcare, education, and trade. Among the decisive points of the discussions is the improvement of the trade relations, such as the export of Afghan dry fruits to India that might give Afghanistan the impetus to the economy. There should also be the aim of India to ensure that Afghanistan has access to the international markets via the regional connectivity projects. The Gwadar Port in Pakistan is an alternative to the Chabahar Port developed in Iran, which India has also made huge investment in; this will give Afghanistan direct access to the international waters. This connectivity is vital to the Afghan economic integration in the region and the global market. Moreover, the cooperation in the healthcare and educational industries will help in developing human capital in Afghanistan and solve some of the root problems that are haunting the nation after the conflict. To India, such initiatives are in line with its more general policy of promoting stability in the region and negating the influence of other powers in the region. The involvement of the Taliban by India not only contributes to the development of Afghanistan, but also makes it a dominant force in the world geopolitics of the region.
Implications for Pakistan and Regional Dynamics
The India-Taliban contact has a big implication on Pakistan, which has always been close to the Taliban. The increased activities of the Taliban with India, a regional enemy of Pakistan, have been a challenge to the strategic interests of the country in Afghanistan. The change of the Taliban towards India can be seen as a diversification of Taliban ties and a lessening of reliance on Pakistan because of the worsening of ties between Islamabad and Kabul. Due to the allegations of the Taliban helping anti-Pakistan armed groups in Afghan soil, tensions have continued to rise in Pakistan. The overture of the Taliban to India can be interpreted as an effort to harmonize their foreign policies and independence in their foreign policy. To Pakistan, this turn of events might result in a strategic realignment, such as deepening the relationship with China and Russia, which have both been interested in the rebuilding of Afghanistan. The changing coalitions highlight the dynamic geopolitical situation and the changing relations between power in the region. The India-Taliban interaction has the possibility of changing the balance of power in South Asia, and both countries will review their strategies in line with the shifting alliances.
Conclusion
The Indian diplomatic relations with the Taliban, whereby the Indian embassy in Kabul was reopened and the foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was visited, are an indicator of a critical turn in the Indian-Pakistani diplomacy. Although India continues to maintain the position of non-recognition, there has been a shift towards pragmatic cooperation, which is emphasized on economic development, regional stability, and strategic interests. In the case of Afghanistan, such an involvement will provide a channel of international legitimacy and financial aid which is necessitated in its restoration process. But, the changing equations may affect the strategic calculus of Pakistan where it will be maneuvering its relationship with the Taliban and India. The general effects of this engagement will be felt over the next few years, which will affect the geopolitical environment of South Asia. This India-Taliban dialogue also presents the significance of diplomacy in resolving regional issues, and the multiregional dynamics of the international system in a multipolar world.
Lipun Kumar Sanbad is a Research Intern at NIICE completed his MA in Politics and International Studies from Pondicherry University, India.
