India Signals Fresh Start in Afghanistan Amid Rising Pakistan Tensions

In a strategic move amid rising tensions with Pakistan, India has opened a new chapter with Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government, signaling readiness to revive stalled projects and deepen economic engagement. This diplomatic outreach comes as New Delhi grapples with the fallout from the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, many of them tourists.

India Engages Taliban Amid Diplomatic Reset

On Sunday, Indian envoy Anand Prakash met with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, marking a significant moment in the evolving relationship between the two countries. According to a statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the discussions centered on India’s intention to restart development projects across Afghanistan—a country still recovering from decades of conflict.

During the meeting, Prakash voiced India’s commitment to strengthen collaboration in multiple sectors, including infrastructure, health, and education. India, long a major development partner in Afghanistan before the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, appears determined to reassert its influence in the region through people-first initiatives, even as diplomatic challenges mount on other fronts.

Muttaqi, for his part, condemned the Pahalgam attack unequivocally and called for swift justice against those responsible. His support was seen as a rare convergence of interests between New Delhi and Kabul’s current leadership, which has often walked a tightrope between various regional powers.

Afghanistan Urges India to Resume Visa Services

Muttaqi also used the opportunity to urge India to resume regular visa services for Afghan citizens—particularly for businessmen, students, and medical patients. He emphasized that easing travel restrictions would boost bilateral relations and economic recovery efforts.

The Taliban government, struggling with international isolation, has been keen to attract foreign investment. Inviting Indian investors to tap into Afghanistan’s untapped markets, Muttaqi stressed that Afghanistan is open for business and eager to engage with partners willing to contribute to its rebuilding process.

This invitation aligns with broader regional trends, where economic diplomacy is increasingly shaping traditional foreign policy strategies.

Pakistan’s Diplomatic Struggles Deepen Post-Pahalgam Attack

While India recalibrates its Afghan strategy, Pakistan faces mounting pressure on the diplomatic front. Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has reportedly urged the government in Islamabad to prioritize dialogue with New Delhi instead of adopting an aggressive posture.

According to The Express Tribune, Nawaz has advised his brother, current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to deploy every available diplomatic tool to ease tensions with India. The advice comes at a critical juncture: India recently suspended the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a foundational agreement on water-sharing between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

During a closed-door meeting in Lahore, Shehbaz reportedly briefed Nawaz on the National Security Committee’s response to India’s decision. He expressed concerns that the suspension of the treaty could dangerously escalate hostilities, warning that the region risks sliding into deeper instability.

India Suspends Indus Waters Treaty: A Strategic Shift

India’s decision to place the IWT in abeyance on April 24 marks a historic departure from its longstanding approach. In an official communication to Pakistan’s Secretary of Water Resources, India’s Water Resources Secretary Debashree Mukherjee cited major demographic shifts and New Delhi’s pivot towards clean energy as key reasons behind the suspension.

Experts suggest that the move serves as a strategic warning to Islamabad, indicating that India is willing to leverage vital resources as a bargaining chip in response to cross-border terrorism. Suspending the treaty, which had survived several wars and political crises, highlights how severely the Pahalgam attack has strained bilateral relations.

Moreover, suspending the IWT could have far-reaching consequences for water security in Pakistan, where agriculture heavily depends on rivers governed by the treaty.

A Tense Future, but New Opportunities in Sight

As India doubles down on its engagement with Afghanistan and reassesses its ties with Pakistan, the region stands at a crossroads. While the specter of conflict looms larger than it has in years, fresh diplomatic efforts—particularly India’s outreach to the Taliban—signal that constructive engagement remains possible even amidst volatility.

For Afghanistan, India’s renewed interest could translate into tangible benefits, from improved infrastructure to greater international legitimacy. For India, it offers a chance to counterbalance hostile actors and reestablish its soft power in South Asia.

The coming months will test the resilience of diplomatic channels, the patience of leaders, and the aspirations of millions who yearn for stability and progress across the region.

Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available information and media reports. It does not endorse any government or political stance. Readers are encouraged to seek multiple sources for a comprehensive understanding of complex geopolitical events.

source :  Business Today