India's Engagement with Taliban

India’s relationship with the Taliban has been complex and cautious. It has developed over time, shaped by security concerns, humanitarian goals, and changing geopolitics in Afghanistan.

India’s interactions with the Taliban from their return to power in 2021 until now.

1. Pre-2021: India’s Historical Stance on the Taliban

1. Vijay K. Nambiar (2000): In 2000, India’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Vijay K. Nambiar met Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, the Taliban’s representative in Pakistan.
2. Nambiar felt that India could not have meaningful ties with the Taliban because the group was closely connected with Pakistan, making it hard for India to engage with them.
3. India’s Stance: During the Taliban’s first rule in the 1990s, India avoided any contact with them due to their extreme views and links to terrorist groups.
4. India instead supported the Afghan government led by Hamid Karzai and later Ashraf Ghani.

2. The Taliban’s Return to Power: August 2021

In August 2021, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan as U.S. troops withdrew, leading to the collapse of the Ashraf Ghani government. India, which had spent years investing in Afghanistan’s development, now had to decide how to deal with the Taliban.

1. August 31, 2021 - First Contact in Doha:

   1. India made its first official contact with the Taliban after they captured Kabul. Deepak Mittal, India’s ambassador to Qatar, met Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, a Taliban leader, in Doha.
   2. Taliban’s Statement: The Taliban said they wanted to continue cultural, economic, and political relations with India, referring to their historical ties.
   3. India’s Response: India agreed to talk but made it clear that its engagement would be limited and careful, especially since the Taliban’s government lacked women’s representation and was not inclusive of ethnic minorities.

3. Humanitarian Assistance and Early Diplomatic Engagement

Even with political concerns, India began providing humanitarian aid to help the Afghan people, signaling a more practical approach.

1. Humanitarian Aid (December 2021): India sent 1.6 tonnes of medical supplies to Afghanistan. This showed India’s willingness to help the Afghan people while not directly supporting the Taliban government.

2. June 2022 - First Official Diplomatic Visit to Kabul:

   1. India sent a team led by J.P. Singh, a senior official from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, to Kabul. Their task was to supervise the delivery of humanitarian aid.
   2. The team also met Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s foreign minister. India sent aid to victims of an earthquake in Khost and Paktika provinces.
3. Technical Team in Kabul: India sent a small technical team to Kabul to keep track of aid deliveries and maintain some presence in Afghanistan, even though the Indian embassy had been evacuated after the Taliban took over.

4. 2022-2023: Strengthening Diplomatic Ties Amidst Challenges

India continued to engage with the Taliban while addressing issues such as women’s rights and governance.

1. December 2022: India expressed concern over the Taliban’s ban on women’s education and continued to call for an inclusive government.
   • India highlighted UN Security Council Resolution 2593, which urged respect for human rights and the need for an inclusive government in Afghanistan.
2. October 2023: The Afghan Embassy in New Delhi closed due to lack of resources. However, two Afghan diplomats in Mumbai and Hyderabad continued working at the mission.
3. January 2024 - Meeting with Amir Khan Muttaqi: Indian diplomats in Kabul met Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s foreign minister, to discuss issues like visas for Afghan businessmen, students, and patients.

5. Key Drivers of India’s Engagement

India’s approach to the Taliban has been influenced by several key factors:

1. Geopolitical and Regional Dynamics:

   1. Pakistan’s Influence: The Taliban has strong ties to Pakistan, which makes India’s engagement more challenging.
      • India is concerned about terrorism and refugees crossing into India from Afghanistan due to the Taliban’s relations with Pakistan.
   2. China’s Role: China has increased its influence in Afghanistan, signing agreements with the Taliban to help rebuild the country. India is wary of falling behind China in securing its interests in Afghanistan.
   3. Iran and Russia: Iran and Russia, both neighboring Afghanistan, have their own concerns with the Taliban. India continues to work with these countries, which affects its strategy in Afghanistan.
2. Security Concerns: India is concerned about terrorist groups using Afghanistan as a base to attack India.
   1. Groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba have targeted India in the past. India wants to make sure the Taliban do not allow these groups to operate in Afghanistan.
3. Visa Issues: The Taliban requested visas for Afghan businessmen, students, and patients to visit India. However, India faces logistical problems because the visa section at its embassy in Kabul is not operating. Despite this, India is open to helping with humanitarian visas on a case-by-case basis.

Key Development Projects by India in Afghanistan

India’s commitment to Afghanistan is visible through its various high-profile infrastructure projects spread across all 34 provinces. Some notable projects include:

1. Salma Dam (Afghan-India Friendship Dam): Completed in 2016, this 42 MW hydropower and irrigation project in Herat province is one of India’s most significant investments.
   1. It was intended to provide water for irrigation and power for thousands of Afghan homes.
   2. However, the area has faced security challenges with recent Taliban attacks nearby.
2. Zaranj-Delaram Highway: A 218 km highway built by India’s Border Roads Organisation. This strategic road connects Zaranj (near Afghanistan’s border with Iran) to Delaram and provides a vital link for trade and transportation.
   1. India also used Chabahar Port in Iran to ship goods, bypassing Pakistan’s denial of overland access to Afghanistan.
   2. India transported 75,000 tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan through this route during the pandemic.
3. Afghan Parliament Building: India built the Afghan Parliament at a cost of $90 million, which was inaugurated in 2015.
   1. This project symbolizes India’s commitment to supporting democracy in Afghanistan.
4. Stor Palace Restoration: The Stor Palace in Kabul, originally built in the late 19th century, was restored by India in collaboration with the Aga Khan Development Network.
   1. This palace played an important historical role, especially in the 1919 Rawalpindi Agreement that established Afghanistan’s independence.

Infrastructure and Health Projects:

India has invested in rebuilding essential infrastructure and health facilities in Afghanistan, with projects that directly impact the Afghan people.

1. Power and Telecommunications:

   1. India built a 220kV transmission line from Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul, improving electricity supply in the capital.
   2. India also restored telecommunications infrastructure in several provinces, helping to improve communication across Afghanistan.

2. Healthcare Infrastructure:

   1. India rebuilt the Indira Gandhi Institute for Child Health in Kabul, originally established in 1972, which had been damaged during years of conflict.
   2. India’s Medical Missions provided free consultations and helped treat thousands of people, including those who lost limbs due to landmines.
   3. India has also built clinics in various border provinces such as Kandahar and Nangarhar.

3. Transportation:

   1. India provided 400 buses and 200 mini-buses for urban transportation and 105 utility vehicles for municipal work.
   2. The Indian government also donated military vehicles to Afghanistan's National Army and ambulances to hospitals.

Other Notable Projects

1. Educational and Vocational Support: India has contributed to the educational development of Afghanistan by providing vocational training institutes and scholarships for Afghan students. It also provided training for doctors, engineers, and other professionals.
2. Solar Panels and Toilets: In remote villages, India provided solar panels for clean energy and Sulabh toilet blocks for better sanitation in Kabul.
3. Community Development Projects: India has been active in smaller community development projects such as building infrastructure in schools and promoting agriculture in rural areas.

Future Projects:

1. Shatoot Dam: India is committed to building the Shatoot Dam in Kabul, which will provide clean drinking water to 2 million residents. This project is one of the ongoing development agreements signed before the Taliban took over.
2. Bala Hissar Fort Restoration: India pledged $1 million for the restoration of Bala Hissar Fort near Kabul, a site of historical significance. This project is part of India’s continued investment in Afghan heritage.
3. 100 Community Development Projects: India announced the start of around 100 community development projects worth $80 million at the Geneva Conference in 2020.

Bilateral Trade Relations

Despite challenges, India-Afghanistan trade has grown, thanks to efforts like the air freight corridor established in 2017. The bilateral trade crossed $1 billion in 2019-20, with exports from India amounting to approximately $900 million.

1. Afghanistan’s Exports to India: Afghanistan mainly exports fruits (both fresh and dried) to India. Some of this trade happens overland through the Wagah border, with Pakistan allowing Afghan exports through its territory.
2. Indian Exports to Afghanistan: Indian exports include pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, cement, computers, and sugar.

Strategic Importance of India’s Investments in Afghanistan

India’s investments in Afghanistan go beyond economic aid; they are also a strategic necessity. They help:

1. Counter Terrorism: India aims to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorist groups that could threaten India’s security.
2. Boost Regional Connectivity: India’s infrastructure projects like the Zaranj-Delaram Highway and Chabahar Port create alternative trade routes, bypassing Pakistan and connecting India to Afghanistan.
3. Strengthen Soft Power: India’s development work in Afghanistan strengthens its soft power in the region, fostering goodwill among the Afghan people.

About Afghanistan: Afghanistan, located at the crossroads of Central and South Asia, is a landlocked country with a complex history shaped by ethnic, cultural, and political diversity. Its geopolitical importance, rich natural resources, and strategic position have made it the center of various historical conflicts. 1. Geography and Demographics Location: Afghanistan is bordered by Pakistan to the south and east, Iran to the west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to the north, and China to the far northeast. Afghanistan also share border with India (Indo-Afghanistan Border : (106 km) Capital: Kabul Area: Approximately 652,860 square kilometers, making it the 41st largest country in the world. Population: As of 2023, Afghanistan has a population of around 40 million people. The country is ethnically diverse, with the major ethnic groups being Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, and Uzbeks. Pashtuns make up the largest ethnic group, followed by Tajiks and Hazaras. Afghanistan has a rich cultural heritage, with many different languages spoken, including Dari (a variant of Persian) and Pashto being the official languages. Historical Background Afghanistan has a complex history with periods of foreign invasion, conflict, and change. Key moments include: Soviet Invasion (1979-1989): The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, leading to a decade-long war with Afghan resistance fighters (Mujahideen), who were supported by the U.S. and other countries. Taliban Rule (1996-2001): The Taliban took control in the 1990s and imposed strict laws until they were overthrown by U.S.-led forces in 2001. Post-2001: After the U.S. invasion in 2001, a new government was set up, and the country struggled with insurgency from the Taliban and other militant groups.