Taliban pivot to India: ideology takes backseat to economics

WEB DESK: In a marked shift from decades of ideological hostility, the Afghan Taliban are steadily moving towards deeper diplomatic and economic engagement with India, signalling a pragmatic recalibration driven by economic pressures, regional tensions and the search for international legitimacy.

For more than 20 years, Taliban propaganda cast India as a Hindu “kafir” state backing “anti-Islamic” forces in Kabul. The Emirate had also justified the demolition of the Bamiyan Buddhas as resistance against “un-Islamic idols” and the “Buddhist-Hindu civilisation.” Yet the same group is now sending senior officials, including the foreign and commerce ministers, to New Delhi seeking markets, infrastructure assistance and investment.

The shift comes despite the Taliban’s earlier portrayal of the pre-2021 Kabul government as an “Indian puppet” and their allegations that Indian consulates served as RAW-backed militant hubs targeting Afghanistan and Pakistan. Today, Indian wheat, Indian-funded reconstruction projects, access to Indian ports and long-term trade corridors are central to the Emirate’s economic outreach.

Analysts note that tensions with Pakistan over the TTP/FAK presence, border clashes and refugee disputes have accelerated Kabul’s pivot. While the Taliban frequently emphasise historic Islamic ties with Pakistan, their swift opening to India, a non-Muslim state, has raised questions about the Emirate’s commitment to regional “ummah solidarity.” Islamabad-based observers argue that Kabul appears more willing to cater to New Delhi’s security concerns than to address the ones raised by Pakistan.

The courtship of India also contrasts with the Taliban’s longstanding anti-West rhetoric, including denunciations of “interest-based systems” and global financial institutions. India’s close alignment with Western capital has not prevented the Emirate from seeking its help to unlock banking channels and attract investment.

Despite strict domestic policies justified under “pure Sharia”, including curbs on girls’ education, women’s employment and the media, the Taliban have shown considerable flexibility abroad, prioritising economic survival over ideological consistency. During high-profile visits to India, Afghan officials have avoided commentary on Kashmir, the CAA and reports of anti-Muslim violence, maintaining a deliberate silence in favour of trade and diplomatic engagement.

Repeated Afghan ministerial visits also highlight the Emirate’s growing pursuit of de-facto recognition, even as it publicly insists it does not seek international approval. Analysts say the Taliban’s evolving approach reflects a simple calculation: ideological rigidity at home, but transactional realpolitik abroad, with India emerging as an indispensable partner in a difficult economic climate.