Context:

India’s engagement with Afghanistan has taken a notable turn following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. On October 2025, Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, undertook an eight-day visit to New Delhi, marking the highest-level Taliban official visit since the group assumed control of Kabul. During this visit, India announced the re-establishment of its Embassy in Kabul, which had functioned as a downgraded “technical mission” since June 2022. This move highlights a nuanced approach: engagement with the Taliban without extending formal recognition.

Engagement Without Recognition: India’s Approach

• • Distinction Between Recognition and Diplomacy: Recognizing a government (de jure recognition) signifies acceptance of its legitimacy and the means through which it came to power. India avoids formal recognition of the Taliban, thereby not endorsing the violent takeover of 2021.
  • However, diplomatic engagement with a de facto government is legal under international law. The Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations (1961, 1963) allow diplomatic missions to function without necessarily recognizing a government.
  • India’s Modus Operandi in Afghanistan: Even before reopening its embassy, India allowed Afghan diplomatic missions in New Delhi to transition gradually under Taliban oversight. Former diplomats continued essential consular functions in coordination with the Taliban, maintaining continuity despite political changes.
  • This “engagement without recognition” strategy has precedents in India’s diplomacy, including relations with Taiwan and Myanmar’s military government, where India maintains functional diplomatic channels without formal recognition.

Geopolitical Drivers of India’s Engagement:

India’s decision to engage the Taliban strategically balances security, diplomacy, and economic interests. Three key factors explain New Delhi’s cautious yet proactive stance:

1.       Taliban’s Proactiveness in Engagement: The Taliban has actively sought Indian engagement since 2021, emphasizing that Afghanistan will not serve as a base for anti-India groups. Notably, Taliban officials condemned the Pahalgam terror attack in May 2025, signaling a separation from Pakistan-backed terror networks. This reassurance strengthens India’s confidence in limited engagement.

2.      Pakistan-Afghanistan Dynamics: The deterioration of Taliban-Pakistan ties has offered India strategic space. Unlike the initial period after 2021, the Taliban has resisted fully aligning with Pakistan, rejecting the Durand Line as a settled border and maintaining cautious distance from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). This independence reduces the risk of Taliban-Pakistan cooperation against Indian interests.

3.      Economic and Development Opportunities: India’s extensive development and humanitarian investment in Afghanistan—exceeding $3 billion—provides leverage. With the cessation of US assistance in 2025, the Taliban seeks regional investment, creating openings for Indian engagement in infrastructure, mining, and connectivity projects. Initiatives like the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline and Chabahar port transit are central to India’s strategic and economic interests. Reopening diplomatic missions enhances investor confidence and reinforces India’s commitment to long-term development cooperation.

Strategic Significance of India-Afghanistan Relations:

1. Geopolitical and Security Partnership

Afghanistan holds strategic importance for India in countering regional threats, particularly from Pakistan. Historical support for the Northern Alliance in the 1990s, combined with extensive infrastructure and development projects, reflects India’s long-term strategic commitment. The Taliban’s pledge to prevent anti-India activities on Afghan soil is central to evolving counterterrorism cooperation.

2. Development and Reconstruction Contributions

India has played a significant role in Afghan reconstruction, including the Salma Dam, Zaranj-Delaram highway, Kabul’s parliament, hospitals, and power substations. Humanitarian assistance during droughts and the COVID-19 pandemic further demonstrates India’s commitment to Afghan development.

3. Economic and Trade Connectivity

Afghanistan’s estimated mineral wealth, valued between $1–3 trillion, offers India economic opportunities. Participation in regional connectivity projects like the Chabahar Port (Iran-Afghanistan-India corridor) bypasses Pakistan and promotes trade integration.

4. Cultural and Civilizational Bonds

India and Afghanistan share deep historical and cultural connections. Bollywood’s popularity, Indian scholarships for Afghan students, and cultural exchanges reinforce India’s soft power and people-to-people ties.

5. Diplomatic Engagement Amid Political Shifts

India’s engagement strategy—upgrading its mission to full embassy status while refraining from formal recognition—reflects pragmatic diplomacy. This approach allows India to balance ethical concerns with realpolitik, countering China’s growing influence and Pakistan’s destabilizing activities in the region.

Major Challenges in India-Afghanistan Relations:

         1.  Security Concerns and Terrorism

Despite diplomatic engagement, terrorism remains a pressing challenge. The Taliban’s historic links with groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed raise concerns about Afghanistan becoming a safe haven for anti-India militants. Skepticism persists despite the Taliban’s 2025 pledge not to allow Afghan territory to be used for attacks against India.

2. Pakistan’s Influence and Proxy Dynamics

Pakistan’s strategic rivalry complicates peace and stability in Afghanistan. The Taliban’s refusal to act against Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and ongoing tensions with Pakistan create risks for regional security, which India must navigate carefully.

3. Governance and Human Rights Concerns

The Taliban’s non-democratic governance, suppression of dissent, and restrictions on women’s rights conflict with India’s support for an inclusive Afghan political process. Incidents like the exclusion of women journalists during Muttaqi’s visit highlight ethical and diplomatic challenges.

4. Economic and Infrastructure Constraints

Afghanistan’s weak economy and security risks impact Indian investments and projects. International sanctions and governance issues hinder project continuity and trade, though initiatives like Chabahar Port and the India-Afghanistan Air Freight Corridor provide cautious optimism.

5. Rising Chinese Influence

China’s expanding role in Afghanistan, including infrastructure investments and dialogue with the Taliban, challenges India’s strategic leverage in the region.

6. Narcotics and Regional Stability

Afghanistan’s position as the largest opium producer in the Golden Crescent (Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan) poses cross-border security and health challenges for India, particularly in regions like Punjab, where drug abuse is a pressing concern.

International and UN Perspective:

UN Non-Recognition

The UN continues to withhold recognition from the Taliban, citing three unmet conditions:

1.       Inclusive governance

2.      Dismantling of terrorist networks

3.      Respect for human rights, especially women’s rights

Taliban requests for Afghanistan’s UN seat have been repeatedly rejected. Travel exemptions, such as the one allowing Muttaqi’s visit to India, are granted by the UN Security Council on a case-by-case basis.

Regional Trends

Several countries have adopted engagement-without-recognition strategies:

• • • Russia: Recognized the Taliban formally in July 2025.
    • China, UAE, Central Asian states: Host Taliban-appointed diplomats or ambassadors.
    • Pakistan: Upgraded its diplomatic mission in Kabul to ambassadorial level in May 2025.

These arrangements reflect pragmatic considerations—territorial control, security threats, and regional influence—rather than full political endorsement.

Conclusion:

India-Afghanistan relations are entering a new chapter defined by pragmatic diplomacy, strategic engagement, and humanitarian commitments. Through high-level visits, restoration of its embassy, targeted development projects, and a careful approach of engagement without recognition, India is navigating a complex geopolitical landscape. Balancing security, economic interests, cultural ties, and human rights, India aims to maintain influence in Afghanistan, counter regional rivalries, and foster stability, while adhering to international norms. The evolving diplomatic framework demonstrates India’s capacity for nuanced and flexible foreign policy, positioning it as a key player in shaping South Asia’s future amid uncertainty.