India is aligning with the Taliban-led administration in Afghanistan as it seeks to respond to Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack. India has held discussions with Kabul, while Pakistan grapples with a Taliban-associated uprising in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. This occurs even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi granted full operational freedom to the Indian military regarding their response to Pakistan. The Taliban have denounced the terrorist assault in Kashmir and are seeking to improve relations with New Delhi.
A diplomatic achievement for New Delhi
This is a significant diplomatic achievement for New Delhi, which severed official relations with Kabul following the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021. Pakistan, the nation that hosted and funded the rebels, appears to have been at a disadvantage.
A delegation from India arrived in Kabul on Monday, where it engaged with the Taliban’s senior leaders and talked about recent regional developments, further isolating Pakistan.
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The visit of Indian diplomats to Kabul occurs only days after Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar traveled to Afghanistan, amidst a year of tense relations characterized by border conflicts, terrorism accusations, and the large-scale expulsion of Afghan refugees by Islamabad.
As Islamabad hurries its officials to global capitals, hides terrorists in bunkers, requests impartial investigations, relocates air defense to the border, and conducts constant cross-border fire, Pakistan has transformed into panicistan. Kabul’s gestures toward New Delhi would increase Islamabad’s unease.
India has informed various nations about zero tolerance on terrorism
Reports indicate that India has briefed diplomats from 25 nations, including those from the G20 and Gulf countries, about the Pahalgam attack and its policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism.
Nevertheless, India’s diplomatic approach in Kabul is a clever strategic decision. It is important to note that Pakistan nurtured the Taliban for many years in pursuit of “strategic depth.”
Then, ISI head Lt Gen Faiz Hameed hurried to Kabul to commemorate shortly after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan. The equations have significantly altered.
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PM Modi’s ‘free hand’ to Armed forces
India’s discussions with the Taliban leaders occur while it remains open to various responses regarding the Pahalgam massacre.
PM Narendra Modi, who has promised to “identify, track, and punish” those behind the terror assault, granted the Indian armed forces “total operational freedom” on April 29 to determine the method, targets, and timing of their response.
PM Modi’s “free-hand” for the armed forces emerged as Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that they possessed “credible intelligence” regarding India’s military operations.
