India Strengthens Ties with Taliban, Opens Kabul Embassy

India has officially upgraded its diplomatic mission in Kabul to a full embassy, marking a significant step in its engagement with Afghanistan's Taliban government. This move follows a landmark visit to New Delhi by the Taliban's Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, and is seen as part of a major regional geopolitical realignment, even as the Taliban continues to face international isolation over its severe restrictions on women's rights.

A Strategic Upgrade in Relations

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs announced the decision, stating that the upgrade "underscores India's resolve to deepen its bilateral engagement... in all spheres of mutual interest". This formalizes the diplomatic reset initiated during Muttaqi's six-day visit, the first official trip by a top Taliban leader to India since they returned to power in 2021.

During the meetings, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar affirmed India's "full commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan". The practical outcomes included commitments to closer cooperation on trade, with Indian companies invited to explore Afghanistan's mining sector, and the announcement that direct flights between Kabul and Indian cities would soon resume.

Shifting Alliances

India's outreach to the Taliban represents a dramatic policy shift, driven by it's own regional interests. Historically, India has had ties with most governments in Afghanistan, but was somewhat of an opponent of the Taliban. However, the deteriorating relationship between the Taliban in Kabul and Pakistan has created a new opening for New Delhi.

Analysts note that Kabul's growing conflict with Islamabad is a key factor in India's calculations. The Taliban and India have found a common interest in countering Pakistan. This was underscored in the joint statement from the meetings, where both sides "unequivocally condemned all acts of terrorism emanating from regional countries", a clear reference to Pakistan seeing as how India has often without evidence accused Pakistan as a sponsor of terror. Muttaqi also reiterated the Taliban's commitment not to allow Afghan territory to be used against India, addressing a security concern for New Delhi, that would have not been a concern in any case, owing to India's lack of a border with Afghanistan.

The Quest for Legitimacy

For the Taliban, the high-level engagement in India provides a valuable, albeit not full, measure of international legitimacy. The group has been actively campaigning for diplomatic recognition, but so far, only Russia has granted it formal recognition.

A major obstacle to broader acceptance remains the Taliban's institutionalized suppression of women's rights, which the UN has termed "gender apartheid". Since retaking power, the Taliban has banned girls from education beyond the sixth grade, severely restricted women's employment, and enforced strict dress codes and mobility laws. These policies have triggered international legal action, with the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants for two top Taliban leaders for gender-based persecution.

Human Rights and the Diplomatic Balance

The tension between diplomatic engagement and human rights was palpable during Muttaqi's visit. His first press conference in New Delhi explicitly excluded female journalists, causing an uproar in India and leading to accusations of the Indian government capitulating to the Taliban's norms. Under public pressure, a second, inclusive press conference was held where Muttaqi faced tough questions from female journalists about the bans on women's education and work.

When confronted, Muttaqi defended his government's record by claiming, "We have 10 million students in schools and institutes, including over 2.8 million women and girls". However, journalists and human rights reports have extensively documented that these claims are misleading, as the Taliban's bans have systematically erased women and girls from public life and education.