People often say nothing is impossible. It’s more optimism than pragmatism because in life. Some things are indeed impossible. But in geopolitics apparently not.Just look at the statement from India’s external Affairs Ministry.
It talks about Pakistan’s air strikes on Afghanistan. Let me quote from what it says. We unacquivocally, condemn, any attack on innocent civilians. It is an old practice of Pakistan to blame its neighbors for its own internal failures. We’ve also noted the response of an Afghan spokesperson in this regard.
Now for some context, Pakistan launched strikes on Afghan border regions last month, their target was the TTP, the Pakistan Says, they killed TTP militants, but the Taliban disputes this. They say that innocence dozens of innocent civilians were killed. Some of them children.This is the background to India’s statement today.
And there are two things to note here, one India, siding with a Taliban’s version of events.For the Rising, ttp threat. They say that Taliban is protecting the TTP, but look at India statement. India says, Pakistan is blaming neighbors for its own failures which is also what the Taliban say.
That’s one point to note. Secondly, India says, it has noted the response from an Afghan spokesperson. We don’t know who they’re referring to, but all of the responses last month came from the Taliban regime. A regime. That India does not recognizeWho could have imagined this?
We’re talking about the Taliban here, the same Taliban that was funded and supported by Pakistan. The same Taliban that helped ti india terrorists. The same Taliban that allowed attacks on Kashmir. Why is India warming up to them?
Simply put, pragmatism. The first Taliban regime was a Pakistani proxy. This one seems to be different.They have Clashed repeatedly with Pakistan over the border over the TTP and over bilateral, trade, last month’s strike was proof of the tensions at the same time. Kabulous Keen to get support from India.
New Delhi has a history of Investments.In wi3.2Honest, plus recognition from the world’s largest democracy would make a difference.Now, it has not going that far, but we have seen more exchanges.In June 2022. New Delhi reopened its Embassy in Kabul, in October Indian diplomats method Taliban in November 2023. The Taliban took control of the Afghan Embassy in India. In March 2024,
an Indian diplomat met Taliban’s foreign minister and in November and Indian Envoy met their defense minister. So clearly in India is willing to talk, which is why this latest statement is so (important, the ministry could have refused to comment on the airstrikes. They could have simply noted the incident. Instead they backed the Taliban’s version of events.
Now, just to clear, this does not mean that India’s openly embracing the Taliban.Will recognize them it, merely suggests flexibility in India’s position, a willingness to engage when it serves our interests.And that is how it should remain not more, not less.Because India also has a commitment to the Afghan people.
They are suffering under the Taliban’s rule, especially African women.Look at what they did last week, the Taliban band, Windows, overlooking, women’s spaces. They’re being erased from public life. I’ve gone women cannot get jobs.
They cannot attend school. They cannot hear music or read they cannot step out without a veil or malecompanions.India has a responsibility to speak up for those women to put pressure on the Taliban.
