India has not officially recognized the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan, but reports suggest that the Taliban has appointed Ikramuddin Kamil as its acting consul in Mumbai. Kamil, a post-doctoral international law student, is tasked with overseeing Afghanistan’s consular services and representing Kabul’s interests in India.
This move comes after India’s Foreign Ministry sent J.P. Singh to Kabul for talks with senior Taliban leaders and former President Hamid Karzai. The discussions focused on humanitarian aid and exploring trade opportunities, particularly using Iran’s Chabahar port, which India views as strategically important for regional connectivity.
India has been engaging with the Taliban cautiously, aiming to protect its interests in Afghanistan without recognizing their legitimacy. In 2022, India sent a technical team to Kabul to coordinate aid, and in 2023, participated in a regional meeting hosted by the Taliban, involving China, Russia, and Pakistan.
Experts suggest that India is trying to regain strategic influence in Afghanistan, particularly to counter Pakistan’s regional ambitions. This could involve using Afghanistan as a transit route for trade with Central Asia through Chabahar port, while also limiting Pakistan’s strategic depth.
While India’s engagement with the Taliban could help safeguard its interests, it is also seen as a way to influence Afghan policies, especially on sensitive issues like women’s rights. India’s pragmatic approach aims to ensure that the Taliban does not jeopardize India’s security, as seen in the 1990s.
