New Delhi: In a significant development for India-Afghanistan relations, India’s Joint Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, J.P. Singh, met with Taliban Defense Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid in Kabul on Wednesday, November 6. Yaqoob is the son of Mullah Omar, the former Supreme Leader of the Taliban and the “Amir” of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. J.P. Singh oversees affairs related to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran in India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
India is keen to renew and strengthen its relationship with Afghanistan, which has been largely stagnant since the Taliban took control of Kabul in August 2021. Singh also met with Taliban Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and former Afghan President Hamid Karzai. This marks Singh’s second visit to Kabul within a year, accompanied by a delegation from the Ministry of External Affairs under the guidance of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. This indicates India’s cautious approach in re-establishing ties with Afghanistan under the Taliban regime.
The Taliban Defense Ministry stated, “In this meeting, both sides emphasized their shared desire to enhance bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of humanitarian cooperation and other mutual interests. Both Afghanistan and India expressed a willingness to continue dialogue to strengthen their bilateral relationship.”
A report from the Times of India quoted an Afghan official, who wished to remain anonymous, saying, “This meeting signals India’s intent not only to extend its humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan but also to contribute to reconstruction efforts without officially recognizing the Taliban regime. During the meeting, the Taliban reassured India that Afghan territory would not be used for anti-India terrorist activities, which has bolstered India’s confidence in deepening its engagement with Kabul.”
Yaqoob has previously expressed hope for stronger ties with India, which could potentially enhance defense cooperation. The Taliban has been urging India to permit the appointment of a Taliban representative in the Afghan embassy in New Delhi. The Taliban argues that positive relations between India and Afghanistan would benefit both nations and their people, yet India has not formally recognized the Taliban government. Nevertheless, Afghanistan remains strategically important for India’s ambitions in Central Asia, making it a valuable partner for New Delhi.
In the meeting, Yaqoob highlighted the historical ties between Afghanistan and India. However, this development has raised concerns in Pakistan, which has had strained relations with Afghanistan under the Taliban. Relations between Pakistan and the Taliban have been tense over various issues, with Pakistan withdrawing its special representative from Kabul in September due to ongoing skirmishes and disputes along their shared border.
Pakistan claims that Afghanistan’s Taliban government has supported groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant organization, while Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of blaming its internal issues on Afghanistan. Pakistan now fears that improving India-Afghanistan relations could have consequences for its own position and influence in the region.