Muttaqi reportedly asked the delegation to resume India’s projects and reopen the country’s embassy in Afghanistan. The Taliban has also claimed that India has supported the opening of borders and ports for Afghanistan exports, although India has downplayed the significance of the delegation’s visit.
Official statements aside, the visit does appear remarkable. For one thing, it marks a U-turn in the Taliban’s decades-old India policy, which has carried strategic implications for the region, particularly Pakistan.
Engaging India could be a sign to indicate that Pakistan no longer wields a preponderant influence in Taliban-led Afghanistan. The Indian visit certainly stirred concerns in Islamabad, with Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson declaring “we would not like to see anyone playing a role that is negative in any sense or the role of a spoiler”.
Another Pakistani official privately said reopening the Indian embassy in Kabul would not be an issue but questioned the need for any Indian consulates along the border regions of Pakistan.
And for India, opening a line of communication with the Taliban marks a significant change of policy. New Delhi had long been staunchly anti-Taliban, deeming the group to be Pakistan’s proxy. India has previously supported forces such as Northern Alliance and Ashraf Ghani’s government in Afghanistan.
After the fall of Kabul in August 2021, India was quick to close its embassy and pull officials out of the strife-torn country.
Source: Channel News Asia
