India’s growing engagement with Taliban amid deteriorating Kabul-Islamabad ties could reshape regional dynamics.
New Delhi: The rapid forward movement in bilateral ties between New Delhi and Kabul made a strong leap on Wednesday following a meeting between India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and acting Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai.
This was the highest-level bilateral meeting between the two sides since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021.
The talks between Misri and Muttaqi came just days after India “unequivocally” condemned Pakistani air strikes in Afghanistan that killed dozens of civilians, including women and children. India has not yet recognised the Taliban government but the two sides are in continuous communication. New Delhi has emphasised that Afghan soil should not be used by anti-India forces while Kabul has assured has assured stronger political, diplomatic, and economic engagements.
Interestingly, the meeting in Dubai took place amid escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan over the activities of the Pakistan Taliban and Pakistan’s retaliatory air strikes on Afghan soil.
J.P. Singh, the MEA Joint Secretary who oversees affairs related to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran, has visited Afghanistan multiple times, most recently in November of last year. However, this latest engagement took place at a time of rapidly deteriorating relations between Kabul and Islamabad, shifting dynamics in South Asia, China’s increasing involvement in Kabul, and the Taliban’s push for Indian investment.
Top sources told The Sunday Guardian on the condition of anonymity that even before the meeting between Misri and Muttaqi, Taliban had been actively seeking greater engagement with New Delhi. It is keen for India’s investment in Afghanistan’s mining sector, and had expressed interest in expanding its diplomatic presence in India.
“The ongoing turbulence between Kabul and Islamabad along with China’s entry into Kabul’s mining sector is being closely watched. The Afghan government knows that China will always side with Pakistan, and there are other changing dynamics in the region also. So, Kabul is keen for Indian investment and has sent a formal proposal to the MEA, urging the same”, the source said.
According to the information obtained by The Sunday Guardian, the Taliban is particularly interested in Indian investments in major mining ventures which includes- Qale Zal Gold project in Kunduz, Pashti Koh Iron project in Herat, Hub-Garmak project in Herat, Jar Zamastani Marble in Herat, Kaftar Khana Marble in Parwan, Gulastan Marble in Bamyan, Kalor Coal in Ghor, Atta Khan Marble in Kapisa, multiple marble projects in Wardak, and Khawja Gor Gor Coal project in Badghis province.
The deadline for submitting bids is set for January 23. The Taliban’s outreach signals a strategic shift, as Afghanistan seeks to diversify its economic partnerships, particularly as China’s role in Kabul’s mining sector grows. Kabul is aware that China’s interests are closely aligned with Pakistan, which has prompted Afghanistan to seek India’s involvement as a counterbalance.
As The Sunday Guardian reported earlier, the Taliban appointed Dr Ikramuddin Kamil as head of Afghanistan’s mission in Mumbai. Sources say that soon three more high-profile Taliban appointees will arrive in Delhi to take over the Afghan embassy and its mission in India. Currently, the Afghan embassy in New Delhi is led by Charge d’affaires (CDA) Syed Mohammad Ibrahimkhil who represents the fallen government of Afghanistan. But, there are strong indications that after the Taliban appointees take charge of the mission in Mumbai, more people from the Taliban would soon take over the embassy.
With tensions between Kabul and Islamabad escalating and new economic opportunities on the horizon, India’s role in Afghanistan is set to grow significantly, potentially altering the strategic landscape of the region.