India’s Taliban Outreach Followed by China’s Diplomatic Moves with Pakistan and Afghanistan
Following India’s recent diplomatic engagement with the Taliban, China has taken steps to facilitate a meeting between Pakistan and Afghanistan, aiming to strengthen regional ties and address longstanding tensions between the two countries.
India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, held a ministerial-level meeting with the Taliban’s acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, marking the first such outreach by India to the Taliban administration in Afghanistan. This development has prompted China to act swiftly, organizing an informal meeting between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s foreign ministers, mediated by China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi.
During the meeting, Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed in principle to send ambassadors to each other’s countries as soon as possible. They also expressed a willingness to upgrade diplomatic relations, according to a statement from China’s foreign ministry. This move comes as China seeks to foster closer ties between Islamabad and Kabul, following India’s diplomatic initiatives.
China Engages Afghanistan Diplomatically
Alongside the meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held separate bilateral talks with Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar. Beijing’s actions are part of its broader strategy to enhance regional stability and cooperation, particularly in light of India’s outreach to the Taliban.
China has been the first country to accept an ambassador from the Taliban-run administration in Kabul, despite not formally recognizing the Taliban government. India, which has maintained diplomatic channels with the Taliban, has yet to officially recognize the Taliban government. This dynamic highlights the complex diplomatic landscape in the region.
The Afghanistan-Pakistan Equation
Ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan have remained strained since December 2024, when a bombing in Afghanistan’s Paktika province resulted in the deaths of nearly 50 people, including many children and women. Pakistan has not officially confirmed that its air force carried out the attack, though it claims to be conducting anti-terror operations in Afghanistan against groups that target Pakistan.
Afghanistan has consistently denied these allegations, asserting that Pakistan is not a safe haven for terrorists. The Taliban administration has also expressed concerns over Pakistan’s handling of refugee deportations, a topic that was discussed during a recent meeting between Pakistan’s and Afghanistan’s foreign ministers.
Who Said What After Today’s Meeting
Pakistan’s foreign office welcomed the positive momentum in bilateral ties, including enhanced diplomatic engagement, trade, and transit facilitation, following China’s facilitation of talks with the Taliban. China’s foreign minister emphasized the importance of supporting Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development, as well as expanding trade exchanges with the country. All sides agreed on security cooperation, combating terrorist forces, and safeguarding regional peace and stability.
Taliban’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, emphasized the importance of political and economic relations with both countries and expressed hope for further progress in these areas in the future.
India Widespread Cooperation with Taliban
India and the Taliban administration have been working to strengthen ties since August 2021, when the Taliban came to power after the US’ withdrawal from Afghanistan. Over the years, a series of meetings between Indian diplomats and Taliban officials have aimed to foster cooperation between the two countries, which share historic ties.
Though diplomatic relations have not yet been normalized, India’s policy towards Afghanistan under the Taliban regime has focused on providing humanitarian aid and the well-being of Afghan citizens. Diplomatic initiatives have been ongoing to bring normalcy to relations. A high-level meeting in Dubai in January this year, involving Indian and Afghan delegations, was aimed at bolstering cooperation on humanitarian aid, developmental assistance, trade, commerce, sports, cultural ties, regional security, and projects of national interest.
India has also permitted the Taliban to gradually take control of the Afghan missions in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad to provide consular services to its nationals in India and assist those coming from Afghanistan to India for business, study, or medical care.