India-Taliban Relations: Return to Diplomacy or New Challenges?

Mullah Yaqoob, the Taliban’s Minister of Defense, in a meeting with a representative from India’s Ministry of Defense, welcomed the establishment of political and military relations but raised the condition of accepting Afghanistan’s ambassador in Delhi.

The Indian representative also emphasized the necessity of reopening diplomatic missions in Afghanistan to improve bilateral relations.

According to the information received, during the meeting between Mullah Yaqoob and the special representative of India’s Ministry of Defense, both sides stressed the importance of establishing political and military relations. The Indian representative raised the issue of reopening India’s diplomatic missions in Afghanistan and the necessary preparations for it.

Mullah Yaqoob welcomed India’s political and military presence in Afghanistan, stating:
“The Taliban government is keen to establish relations with you, but these relations must be mutual. India must also accept Afghanistan’s ambassador in Delhi; otherwise, it would be unlikely for the Taliban government to consider your government’s requests.”

One of the key issues discussed during the meeting was India’s support for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during Ashraf Ghani’s administration. Mullah Yaqoob highlighted that such support at that time damaged regional relations. The Indian representative responded:
“During that period, our relations with the then-Afghan government were excellent, and we provided financial support to TTP in coordination with Mr. Ghani’s government. Now, our relations with the Taliban are limited, and we expect that reopening our missions in Nangarhar, Herat, and Mazar-e-Sharif will improve the level of political relations.”

At the end of the meeting, both sides emphasized the necessity of rebuilding trust and strengthening relations. However, the Taliban set accepting Afghanistan’s ambassador by India as a key condition.