Engagement Without Recognition: India's Taliban Policy | 21 Oct 2025

Source: IE 

Why in News?

Afghanistan's Foreign Minister visited New Delhi, marking the highest-level Taliban visit since 2021, prompting India to upgrade its Kabul technical mission to a full embassy, without formally recognizing the Taliban government, maintaining its policy of “engagement without recognition.” 

What is India’s “Engagement Without Recognition” Approach to the Taliban Government? 

• Engagement Without Recognition: Recognising a government (de jure) and engaging with a regime (de facto) are separate political acts governed by international law.  
  • India does not accept the Taliban’s de jure legitimacy but maintains functional diplomatic channels through its embassy in Kabul. 
• Purpose of Engagement: To coordinate humanitarian aid, development projects, and political dialogue while safeguarding India’s strategic and security interests. 
• International Law Basis: This approach aligns with Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic Relations (1961) and Consular Relations (1963), which allow embassies to function without formal recognition of the host government. 
• Precedents: India has used similar models for Taiwan and the Myanmar junta, engaging without recognising their governments formally. 

Why is India Engaging with the Taliban Despite Non-recognition? 

• Positive Stance Towards India: Taliban have maintained relatively good relations, emphasizing that Kashmir is a bilateral matter with Pakistan. 
• Strategic First-Mover Advantage: Early engagement would enhance India’s diplomatic influence before countries like China or Pakistan follow Russia’s lead. 
• Balancing Regional Powers: Engagement helps counter China-Pakistan influence in Kabul and strengthens India’s strategic footprint. 
  • India’s approach underscores commitment to Afghanistan’s sovereignty while limiting Pakistan’s regional leverage. 
• Protecting Assets: India has invested over USD 3 billion in Afghanistan, and engagement ensures the safety of its development projects. 

What is the Significance of India-Afghanistan Relations? 

• Security and Counterterrorism: The Taliban’s assurances to prevent Afghanistan from being used as a base for anti-India groups, including condemnation of terror attacks, enhances India’s confidence in Afghanistan as a strategic partner. 
  • Earlier, Taliban assisted India in negotiating with the hijackers of Indian Airlines Flight 814 in 1999, facilitating the safe return of the hostages. 
• Development and Reconstruction: India in Afghanistan has invested over USD 3 billion in humanitarian aid and infrastructure, including the Salma Dam, Zaranj-Delaram highway, Kabul’s Parliament building, hospitals, and power substations.  
  • Humanitarian initiatives during droughts and Covid-19 further demonstrate India’s soft power commitment and long-term engagement. 
• Economic Engagement: Afghanistan’s mineral wealth, valued at USD 1–3 trillion, presents significant opportunities for India in mining and trade.  
  • Historical support for the Northern Alliance and India’s role as a major development partner highlight its sustained strategic interest in the region. 
• Connectivity and Regional Trade: India focuses on key connectivity projects like the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline and Chabahar Port (Iran-Afghanistan-India corridor), facilitating trade, regional integration, and bypassing Pakistan.  
  • Strengthening these links enhances India’s access to Central Asia and reduces Pakistan’s strategic leverage. 

What are the Challenges Facing India-Afghanistan Relations? 

• Security and Terrorism: Terrorism remains a key concern due to the Taliban’s historic links with groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.  
  • Despite Taliban pledges not to allow Afghan soil for anti-India activities, doubts persist because of incomplete disengagement from militant outfits. 
• Pakistan’s Influence: Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)’s historical support to the Taliban and proxy groups complicates peace, while the Taliban’s non-action against Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) insurgents risks cross-border instability. 
• Political Instability and Governance: The Taliban’s non-democratic rule, lack of women’s rights, minority protections, and suppression of dissent challenge India’s values-based engagement.. 
• Economic and Infrastructure Hurdles: Afghanistan’s poverty, security concerns, Taliban governance, and sanctions hinder India’s investments in projects like the Salma Dam and Kabul Parliament, though trade via Chabahar Port and mining sector engagement offer cautious optimism. 
• Drug Trafficking: As the largest opium producer, Afghanistan fuels regional instability.  
  • Narcotics impact India (e.g., Punjab drug crisis) and fund terrorist activities, making cross-border control a key challenge. 

What Steps can Strengthen India’s Ties with Afghanistan? 

• Pragmatic Diplomatic Engagement: Maintain full embassy and regular exchanges without immediate political recognition; continue humanitarian aid to balance strategic necessity with moral responsibility. 
• Counter-terrorism Cooperation: Institutionalise intelligence sharing, joint investigations, capacity building for Afghan security forces, and anti-narcotics collaboration in Golden Crescent regions. 
• Economic Connectivity & Geoeconomic Options: Boost trade and investment via Chabahar Port, India-Afghanistan Air Freight Corridor, and secure resource-sector partnerships like Hajigak. 
• Multilateral & Regional Cooperation: Leverage Heart of Asia, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Moscow Format, UN, and partner countries for coordinated aid, reconstruction, and counterterrorism initiatives. 
• Advocacy for Social & Human Rights: Promote women’s education, minority rights, and political inclusivity; expand scholarships, vocational training, cultural exchanges, and media outreach. 

Conclusion 

India’s engagement with the Taliban balances strategic, humanitarian, and economic interests without granting formal recognition. While challenges like security risks, Pakistan’s influence, and governance issues persist, sustained, principled engagement ensures India remains a key partner in Afghanistan’s stability, development, and regional connectivity.