India has gradually re-emerged in Afghanistan, reshaping regional calculations as Pakistan-Taliban ties fray significantly since 2021. Contrary to initial assumptions, relations between Kabul and Islamabad have deteriorated due to persistent friction over Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) activities, cross-border security incidents, and border management. Tensions escalated by February 2026 when Pakistan launched coordinated strikes inside Afghanistan, which Kabul condemned as a sovereignty violation, deepening mistrust.
This has prompted the Taliban government to diversify external partnerships, reducing dependence on any single regional actor amidst economic hardship and international isolation. India, adopting a cautious and pragmatic approach, reopened its technical mission in Kabul in June 2022, providing substantial humanitarian assistance and supporting development initiatives. New Delhi aims to protect investments, ensure Central Asia access via Chabahar Port, and prevent rival dominance. Afghanistan is increasingly engaging multiple regional powers—India, China, Pakistan, Russia, Iran, and Gulf states—suggesting an evolving multi-aligned state rather than a single sphere of influence, marking a consequential geopolitical shift in South Asia.
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