Gaurav Gupta
India’s diplomatic re-engagement with Afghanistan marks a significant milestone in the country’s foreign policy under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The high-level talks held in Dubai on January 8, 2025, between India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, and the Taliban’s Defense Minister, Mullah Yaqoob Muttaqi, signal a strategic recalibration, aligning India’s approach to evolving regional dynamics. This engagement reflects India’s unique ability to address Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs while standing firm against the destabilizing actions of neighboring Pakistan.
India’s Vision: Aiding Afghanistan, Securing South Asia
India’s historical relationship with Afghanistan has been one of collaboration and development, with over $3 billion invested in key projects such as the Salma Dam, Zaranj-Delaram Highway, and the Afghan Parliament. These efforts have been a testament to India’s long-standing commitment to the progress and prosperity of Afghanistan, even during challenging times. The recent talks in Dubai herald a new era of cooperation, focusing on the revival of infrastructure projects, the provision of humanitarian aid, and strengthening cultural ties through sports, especially cricket.
India has consistently supported Afghanistan’s healthcare sector, refugee rehabilitation, and trade through the Chabahar Port. This humanitarian-driven approach not only fulfills India’s moral obligations but also reflects its role as a responsible global power. This stands in stark contrast to Pakistan’s history of exploiting Afghanistan’s instability for its own geopolitical gain.
Targeting Pakistan’s Duplicity
Pakistan’s decades-long interference in Afghanistan has been marked by its support for terrorist groups, all aimed at advancing its strategic interests. Recent provocations, including airstrikes on Afghan soil, have exacerbated tensions between Islamabad and Kabul. The Taliban’s growing condemnation of Pakistan’s actions signals the unraveling of Pakistan’s influence in Afghanistan.
The changing dynamics also present Afghanistan with an opportunity to adopt a strategy similar to Pakistan’s own infamous “thousand cuts” approach. By providing support to insurgent groups within Pakistan, especially in the volatile Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan regions, Afghanistan could ignite internal conflicts, thereby weakening Pakistan’s military and destabilizing its economy.
Chabahar Port: India’s Strategic Advantage
As Pakistan seeks to control the Wakhan Corridor to access Central Asia, India’s investment in Iran’s Chabahar Port offers a far more reliable and stable alternative. Chabahar bypasses Pakistan completely, providing India with the means to expand trade and connectivity with Afghanistan and Central Asia. Beyond its economic significance, Chabahar serves as a strategic counter to Pakistan’s ambitions, reinforcing India’s leadership in regional infrastructure development.
Afghanistan-India Relations: A Counterbalance to Pakistan
The strengthening of India-Afghanistan ties serves as a vital counterbalance to Pakistan’s ambitions in the region. India’s active engagement ensures that Afghanistan remains free from harboring anti-India militant groups historically backed by Pakistan. This partnership bolsters India’s strategic position in South Asia, preventing China from expanding its influence through its growing ties with the Taliban.
Afghanistan’s ongoing appreciation for India’s support, through food aid, medical supplies, and educational scholarships, solidifies India’s role as a trusted ally. This enduring relationship benefits both nations and strengthens India’s position as a stabilizing force in an otherwise volatile region.
Weakening Pakistan: A Strategic Opportunity
The deteriorating relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan present India with a significant strategic opportunity. As Pakistan becomes increasingly mired in conflict on its western frontier, it will find it more difficult to focus on its eastern border with India. This internal turmoil provides India with a golden opportunity to assert its rightful claim over Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK), advancing its national objectives.
The government’s commitment to reclaiming PoJK, as part of a broader nationalist agenda, is now more achievable than ever. A weakened Pakistan, coupled with Afghanistan’s support, will make India’s territorial claims stronger and more credible on the global stage.
Conclusion: A Strategic Win for India, A Strategic Loss for Pakistan
India’s diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan is a brilliant move that reinforces India’s position as a regional leader, while exposing Pakistan’s duplicity and internal weaknesses. By investing in Afghanistan’s development and humanitarian needs, India not only upholds its moral responsibilities but also strengthens its geopolitical influence in the region.
On the other hand, Pakistan’s prolonged conflict with Afghanistan continues to erode its credibility and stability. As Afghanistan increasingly aligns itself with India, Pakistan’s narrative of dominance in South Asia begins to crumble. This shift positions India as the clear victor in the evolving geopolitical landscape.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s strategic initiatives-whether through humanitarian aid, trade, or counterterrorism efforts-are reshaping the regional power dynamics. This approach not only secures India’s interests but also reaffirms the nation’s role as a beacon of stability, progress, and resilience in South Asia. The path forward is clear: India’s leadership continues to shape a prosperous, secure, and strong South Asia for generations to come.
(The author is BJP Spokesperson J&K UT, Geopolitical Expert)
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