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Afghanistan (India's Neighbours)

Part of International Relations — India and its Neighbours. Common notes for UPSC Mains GS-II.

UPSC

📌 Background & Key Features

  • Historic ties: India invested heavily in Afghan reconstruction pre-2021 (Parliament building, Salma/Afghan-India Friendship Dam, Zaranj-Delaram highway); withdrew diplomatic presence after the Taliban takeover in 2021.
  • Cautious re-engagement: India retained a "technical mission" in Kabul from 2022 for humanitarian coordination, gradually deepened after 2023-24 without formal recognition of the Taliban government.
  • Strategic logic: Denying Pakistan/China exclusive influence in Afghanistan and safeguarding regional counter-terrorism and connectivity (Chabahar-based access to Central Asia) despite human-rights concerns over Taliban rule.

📋 Quick Facts

RegimeTaliban (Islamic Emirate) since August 2021 — not formally recognised by India
2025 shiftIndia reopened its embassy in Kabul; hosted Taliban FM Amir Khan Muttaqi in Delhi
Key projectChabahar Port (Iran) — India’s access route bypassing Pakistan

📰 Current Affairs Linkage (2025-26)

  • 2025 turning point: As Pakistan-Taliban relations deteriorated sharply, India’s relations with Kabul deepened dramatically — India reopened its embassy, and Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi visited Delhi with full diplomatic honours.
  • EAM Jaishankar held the first ministerial-level call with his Afghan counterpart since 2021 (May 2025); three Taliban cabinet ministers visited India between Oct 2025 and early 2026.
  • Critique: Engagement continues despite the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s rights and education, drawing criticism even as India frames it as pragmatic, interest-based diplomacy.

🔖 60-Second Revision

  • Regime: Taliban (Islamic Emirate) since August 2021 — not formally recognised by India
  • 2025 shift: India reopened its embassy in Kabul; hosted Taliban FM Amir Khan Muttaqi in Delhi
  • Key project: Chabahar Port (Iran) — India’s access route bypassing Pakistan

📝 PYQs for Practice (Mains)

YearQuestionMarks
2021‘Terrorism has become the biggest threat to India’s internal security.’ Discuss the linkages between Afghanistan-based terror groups and internal security challenges, and suggest measures to curb it.15