India is expected to host a senior diplomatic representative from the Taliban in the coming weeks, in a move aimed at strengthening its relationship with Afghanistan and countering China’s influence in the region.
According to Bloomberg, two Indian officials who requested anonymity revealed that the Taliban-led regime has identified two potential candidates, with one of them set to be assigned as the head of the Afghan embassy in New Delhi. While India will not formally recognize this Taliban official as a diplomat, he will effectively become the top representative of the current Afghan government in India. These Indian officials also stated that the Taliban will not be allowed to display its flag at the embassy, venues, and official vehicles once it takes over the Afghan embassy.
So far, only a few countries including Beijing, Pakistan, and Russia have accepted Taliban diplomats. The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021, drawing international condemnation for human rights violations. At that time, India, like many other countries, cut off diplomatic ties with Afghanistan, closed its embassy in Kabul, and restricted interactions with the nation.
India’s upcoming move is primarily driven by geopolitical considerations. Afghanistan serves as a key strategic link between Central Asia and South Asia, holding significant importance for India, particularly in terms of regional security. During India’s diplomatic hiatus with Afghanistan, its geopolitical rival China made inroads and actively cultivated ties with the Taliban, becoming the first country to accredit an ambassador to the militant group since its control of Afghanistan.
Economically, China’s influence in Afghanistan poses a challenge to India. Even after the Taliban took control, Chinese companies continued investments in mining and other infrastructure projects in Afghanistan.
The Taliban’s plan to construct a highway through the Wakhan Corridor, a remote region connecting Afghanistan and China, is significant. Once completed, this road will provide China direct access to Central Asia and the Middle East through this resource-rich area, enhancing its economic influence in the region.
Moreover, Afghanistan plays a crucial role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, with China striving to build trust and cooperation with Afghanistan, albeit with limited success to date.
India has had close political and economic ties with Afghanistan in the past and was a key aid donor to the country. Before the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, India was involved in over 500 development and infrastructure projects in Afghanistan, spanning areas such as electricity, water supply, education, and healthcare. Given India’s regional importance, deepening contacts with India seems inevitable from the Taliban’s perspective.
In January this year, senior diplomatic representatives from India and the Taliban held a meeting in Dubai, following which trade between the two sides resumed.