India high-level meetings with Taliban:
India held back-to-back high-level meetings with Taliban representatives including Foreign Secretary-level talks and EAM Jaishankar’s call with Amir Khan Muttaqi. Russia’s formal recognition of Taliban adds momentum to India’s cautious but deepening engagement.Taliban’s promise to prevent anti-India activities offers India a chance to deny Pakistan a terror foothold via Afghan territory. Afghanistan serves as a geographic bridge to Central Asia. With Pakistan denying overland routes, the Chabahar port and Afghan corridor offer India economic and strategic alternatives. Central Asia holds untapped energy reserves. India’s expanded connectivity through Afghanistan supports its long-term energy diversification goals. Afghanistan provides a counterbalance to the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). A Taliban-friendly India denies Pakistan strategic depth. According to Barry Buzan, insulating states like Afghanistan play a role in regional order. A stable, India-engaged Afghanistan helps consolidate a South Asia–centric security framework.
