Kabul (TDI): Afghanistan’s Taliban government has taken a notable diplomatic step by appointing its first senior envoy to India since returning to power in 2021, signaling a cautious but meaningful shift in ties between the two neighbors.
The Taliban’s Noor Ahmad Noor has arrived in New Delhi to serve as charge d’affaires at the Afghan embassy, taking up a role that has remained vacant since the group seized control of Kabul nearly five years ago.
In a post on social media, Afghanistan’s embassy said Noor has already held talks with Indian officials, discussing ways to bolster political and economic cooperation, support for Afghan students and traders in India, and easing visa processes.
“Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening Afghanistan–India relations,” the embassy said in its statement.
India has not formally recognized the Taliban government, which remains excluded from most international diplomatic circles, but it has gradually increased engagement, reopening its mission in Kabul and exchanging visits with Afghan officials in recent months.
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For India, the move represents a pragmatic push to protect its strategic interests in Afghanistan, from trade and security to humanitarian support, even as New Delhi stops short of extending official recognition.
The relationship is shaped by a delicate balance; India wants stability in Afghanistan but also must navigate its own regional rivalries and domestic political sensitivities.
For the Taliban, placing an envoy in New Delhi is part of a broader effort to gain international legitimacy and reopen diplomatic channels after years of isolation.
It also comes against a backdrop of shifting geopolitics in South Asia, where countries are reassessing ties with Kabul in light of Afghan economic needs and security concerns.
Despite these developments, key questions remain. India has not publicly commented on Noor’s appointment, and there is no indication that formal diplomatic recognition is imminent.
But the appointment itself, and the issues discussed so far, suggest that both sides see value in keeping lines of communication open, even amid complex political realities.
Minahil Khurshid holds a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from CIPS, NUST. She has a strong interest in current affairs, geopolitics, and policy analysis.
