Kabul: Relations between India and Afghan Taliban are improving rapidly in recent times. There have been several meetings between Indian officials and the leaders of the Taliban who are in power in Afghanistan. Now a big decision in this regard can be taken by the Narendra Modi-led government of India. India can allow the Taliban government in Afghanistan to appoint its ambassador to New Delhi. If this happens, it will be like India recognizing the Taliban. So far most countries have been seen avoiding doing so.
According to The Hindu report, India feels that this is the right time to support the Taliban. India considers Afghanistan strategically important for itself and wants to increase its influence there. This is also important for India because China is already improving relations with the Taliban. China is the first country to recognize the Taliban ambassador and has invested in many infrastructure projects in Afghanistan. In such a situation, India can also move forward to improve relations by allowing the Afghan Taliban to appoint an ambassador.
Opportunity to shock Pakistan
India has a chance to compete with China in Afghanistan as well as gain an edge over Pakistan. The relations between the Taliban and Pakistan have been in a very bad phase for some time. After the relations with Pakistan deteriorated, the Taliban has emphasized on improving relations with other countries. Kabul is trying to improve relations with China, Russia, India and other countries. In such a situation, India has a chance to increase its influence in Afghanistan by weakening Pakistan.
There are also dangers for India in improving relations with the Taliban. India will have to pay attention to these dangers before joining Afghanistan. Afghanistan has become a hub of terrorism under the rule of the Taliban. The Islamic State (IS) is spreading rapidly there and is carrying out attacks in Afghanistan. These attacks are harming the interests of the Taliban and its allies.
The Taliban is also accused of supporting the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP). The TTP has claimed that it carried out 147 attacks on Pakistani soil in February alone, killing 180 soldiers. India wants Afghanistan to be free of terrorism. In such a situation, this should be an important demand before moving forward with the Taliban. Due to instability, India will also have to invest in Afghanistan thoughtfully.
