For a government that isn’t recognized by any other nation, Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has been surprisingly active lately. He has met with officials from Pakistan, spoken with India’s foreign minister, and visited Iran and China. In Beijing, he met with Pakistan’s foreign minister again and participated in trilateral talks with delegations from Pakistan and China.
Despite the Taliban’s historically tense relationships with these countries, recent diplomatic activities suggest they are trying to improve ties. Analysts note that this engagement indicates the Taliban is not completely isolated on the global stage, even if no formal recognition has been granted by the United Nations or its member states.
So, why are countries in Afghanistan’s region eager to engage with the Taliban? A timeline of recent events sheds light on this. On April 19, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar visited Kabul to discuss issues like the repatriation of Afghan refugees and trade. Just a few weeks later, on May 6, Dar and Muttaqi spoke again amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, which escalated into military exchanges.
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reached out to Muttaqi on May 15 to thank the Taliban for condemning violence in India-administered Kashmir. Following that, on May 17, Muttaqi attended the Tehran Dialogue Forum in Iran, where he met with top Iranian officials. By May 21, he was in Beijing for talks aimed at enhancing trade and security among Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China.
The Taliban’s political office head in Doha, Suhail Shaheen, emphasized that the group is a reality in Afghanistan and controls the entire country. He believes engaging with the Taliban is a practical approach for regional countries to address mutual concerns.
India’s warming relations with the Taliban are surprising, given its past stance of supporting the Northern Alliance against them. After the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, India initially refused to recognize the group. However, it soon realized that avoiding contact allowed Pakistan to gain influence in Afghanistan. In June 2022, India reopened its embassy in Kabul, and in January 2024, high-level talks took place in Dubai between Indian officials and the Taliban.
Pakistan’s relationship with the Taliban has deteriorated recently, especially due to rising violence from groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad claims operates from Afghan territory. Dar’s visit to Kabul reflects a temporary thaw rather than a significant shift in relations. Pakistan is concerned about Afghanistan potentially being used by India against it, increasing Islamabad’s urgency to secure its western border.
Iran, like India, was once opposed to the Taliban. However, it has shifted its approach, focusing on security and trade. Iran has been engaging with the Taliban to address shared concerns, including the threat from ISIS and managing the influx of Afghan refugees. While there have been tensions, especially regarding water rights from the Helmand River, both countries recognize the need for cooperation.
In summary, regional dynamics are changing. Countries like India, Pakistan, and Iran are finding ways to engage with the Taliban, despite the lack of formal recognition. This shift reflects a pragmatic approach to addressing security and economic interests in a rapidly evolving landscape.