India has reaffirmed its ‘longstanding ties’ with Afghanistan and the Afghan people, just days before the fifth anniversary of the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul. According to Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Randhir Jaiswal, India has had several engagements and ministerial visits from Afghanistan in the last few months, leading to strengthened partnerships in development cooperation, trade, and connectivity.
The Indian government’s statement comes ahead of a celebration planned by the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi on August 17, marking the Taliban’s coming to power in August 2021. Noor Ahmed Noor, the Charge d’Affaires of the Afghan Embassy, is scheduled to hold the event, although it is unclear whether an Indian official will be in attendance. Despite this, the MEA has indicated that a positive posture will be maintained towards the Taliban, given India’s ongoing issues with Pakistan.
In recent months, several high-ranking Taliban officials have visited India, including Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Acting Foreign Minister; Nooruddin Azizi, Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce; Noor Jalal Jalali, Minister of Public Health; and Ataullah Omari, Acting Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, who visited in July 2026. These visits have contributed to the strengthening of ties between the two nations.
The Indian government’s decision to engage with the Taliban comes as Afghanistan seeks deeper trade ties with India, pitching for easier business access. The MEA has expressed its commitment to maintaining and strengthening its longstanding ties with Afghanistan and the Afghan people.
The upcoming celebration at the Afghan Embassy has sparked interest, with some Afghan sources claiming that an Indian official will be present. However, the MEA has not confirmed this, maintaining a cautious stance on the matter.
As the fifth anniversary of the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul approaches, India’s decision to engage with the Taliban is seen as a strategic move, given the country’s complex relationship with Pakistan.
