The Taliban-led administration in Afghanistan has made a significant appeal to India, urging the reopening of its embassy in Kabul. Alongside this request, the Taliban government has submitted a list of proposed Afghan diplomats to New Delhi. Notably, Najib Shaheen, the son of Suhail Shaheen—the Taliban’s spokesperson based in Qatar and head of diplomatic outreach—tops the list. Suhail Shaheen, known for his fluency in English and his tenure as editor of the Kabul Times in the 1990s, remains a prominent figure within the Taliban’s diplomatic framework. As of now, India has not officially responded to this proposal.
Taliban Appoints Ikramuddin Kamil in Mumbai
In a separate diplomatic move, the Taliban appointed Ikramuddin Kamil, an Afghan national residing in India, as the acting consul in Mumbai in November 2023. This marked the Taliban’s first such appointment in India. Kamil holds a law degree from the Islamic University in Islamabad and furthered his education at the South Asian University in New Delhi, an institution established under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Meeting Between Indian and Taliban Officials Fuels Developments
The Taliban’s latest demand follows a meeting between India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, and Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Dubai on January 8, 2024. During their discussions, Misri highlighted India’s longstanding friendship with the Afghan people and the robust ties shared by both nations. Muttaqi, in turn, stressed the need to boost Indian investments in Afghanistan and strengthen bilateral engagement.
India’s Caution Regarding Taliban Diplomatic Ties
Despite the Taliban’s diplomatic overtures, Indian authorities remain cautious about formally accepting the proposed envoy. Sources indicate that New Delhi is considering reopening its Kabul embassy as a potential preliminary step before addressing the Taliban’s specific requests. This cautious approach follows the closure of the Afghanistan Embassy in New Delhi on November 24, 2023. The closure statement from the embassy cited pressure from both India and the Taliban, stating that Afghan diplomats had handed over the mission to the Indian government, leaving future decisions regarding its operation to New Delhi.
Future of India-Taliban Relations Uncertain
While these recent developments hint at evolving dynamics between India and the Taliban regime, New Delhi continues to tread carefully. The complex political landscape in Afghanistan and India’s strategic interests in the region contribute to this calculated approach. As the situation unfolds, the future of diplomatic relations between India and the Taliban remains uncertain.