Are the devils really changing for the better? But why are they tilting towards India and not showing similar intent for their so-called mentors ISI and Pakistan? Pakistanis were euphoric after the victory of the Taliban, celebrating the fall of Kabul, and the seizure of power by the extremist group, which had historic ties with Islamabad. ISI eyed the Taliban then for using them against India in Kashmir. The same Taliban are now threatening Pakistan with dire consequences similar to what India did to them in 1971 war AND contrary to the established belief, persuading India to allow the posting of a permanent envoy in Delhi. What a dramatic turnaround!
In an effort to improve its international credibility and boost bilateral relations with India the interim Taliban government of Afghanistan is trying to win over India to allow it to post a diplomatic representative in New Delhi.
The proposed candidates to become the envoy to India for Afghanistan’s current rulers include controversial Taliban leader Abdul Qahar Balkhi, who is alleged to have issued death threats to journalists. Australian journalist Lynne O’Donnell was threatened with prison if she did not tweet apologies for her earlier coverage which the Taliban deemed as fake and concocted story, far from the reality.
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India reopened its diplomatic mission in Kabul – yet to recognise the Taliban government
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India has reopened its diplomatic mission in Kabul but is yet to recognise the interim Taliban Government of Afghanistan. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has declined to comment on the issue even as India tries to find a way to the intricate diplomatic challenge posed by the Afghan Taliban.
The Afghan Taliban first came up with the proposal to send a diplomatic representative to India in July 2022, when a delegation from the MEA visited Kabul.
Since then, India has posted three diplomats in Kabul. The current Indian delegation in Kabul also includes an estimated 80 soldiers from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
India is also mulling over the viability of reopening its consulate in Kandahar, which was shut down when the Afghan Taliban captured Kabul following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Taliban may protect Indians from various terrorist groups active in Afghanistan
The Afghan Taliban has reportedly tried to assuage India’s concerns over camps by various terrorist groups such as Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan by engaging with Indian intelligence agencies.
Taliban has approached India to restart its projects stalled midway
The latest development comes after the interim government in Kabul approached Indian authorities with a request to restart those 20 infrastructure projects that were launched by India, but stalled midway after the fall of the Afghan government and Taliban taking over.
The overtures of the Taliban towards the Indian Government amply corroborate India’s growing global power. And obviously a great setback to Pakistan.
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