But New Delhi is unlikely break with international and domestic consensus on the Taliban’s exclusionary treatment of women and ethnic minorities.

Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), banned as an “unlawful association” under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, is a frontal organisation of Gur.

Taliban took over Kabil through an armed struggle in August 2021 and India is yet to recognise Taliban's rule in Afghanistan. Further, New Delhi remains concerned over the presence in Afghanistan of terror elements belonging to Pakistan-based terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

Moscow wants India to join a coalition alongside its old adversaries, plus Iran - but New Delhi doesn't seem all that keen India is expected to reject Russia's offer to join the "Afghan Quad", a coalition that also includes Pakistan and China - in a decision that reflects its unwillingness to engage with rivals on Kabul's future.

Relations between the Afghan Taliban and Islamabad have cratered, with the Pakistani military triggering tensions with its air strikes on Afghanistan

India deepens ties with Afghanistan via diplomacy, aid, and trade. Focus on Chabahar Port and security reflects efforts to counter Pakistan and boost regional influence.

DIPLOMACY often walks the fine line between principle and pragmatism, revealing how nations adapt to shifting power structures. India’s recent high-level meeting with the Taliban is

Jitender Pal Singh also headed the crucial Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran division in the external affairs ministry since 2020

In March 2024, the Indian joint secretary, ministry of external affairs, also met Afghan Taliban officials in Kabul. Soon after the fall of Kabul in August 2021, New Delhi abandoned its diplomatic and development activities in Afghanistan due to security concerns.

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Iranian foreign minister on Jan 26 met with the PM of the Taliban govt in Kabul. Araghchi told PM Akhund that Iran never sought to interfere in Afghanistan. He also called for the full implementation of the Hirmand river agreement.

The central characters in this saga are Michael Waltz and S Jaishankar. And the plot begins with Waltz’s visit to Delhi in August 2023, and Jaishankar’s three visits to Washington DC in the last five months. Together, it is a saga of providence, astute diplomatic investment, political signalling, and confident engagement.