Since independence, relations between India and Afghanistan have been very cordial, and India has played a valuable role in the country’s all-round development. India’s contribution to its infrastructure development is considered unprecedented, as until 1947, the country was completely underdeveloped and lived in a tribal culture. Looking back at history, until 1889, Afghanistan was part of the British Indian Empire, governed more or less from London, although its emir, or king, also held power. However, in 1889, Queen Victoria of Britain decided to grant Afghanistan independent status, and in 1893, the Durand Line, a border line, was drawn between India and Afghanistan. Despite granting it separate status, the British maintained control over Afghanistan’s foreign affairs. Looking back even further, until 1846, Afghanistan was part of the Punjab Sultanate of Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab, which stretched from Agra to Kabul. But the shared history of India and Afghanistan is not limited to this. In ancient times, it was a major part of Emperor Ashoka’s rule, as his empire stretched from Pataliputra to Tehran (Iran).
From the 8th century BC to the 9th century AD, it was considered a stronghold of Buddhism, but with the arrival of Islam in India in this century, this religion flourished here. Currently, Afghanistan is an Islamic country under Taliban rule. Afghanistan shared borders with the Soviet Union and Iran. Therefore, this region was strategically important for British India. After the creation of Pakistan at the time of independence, it became a neighboring country. However, despite both countries being Islamic, relations between them remained strained, one reason being the Durand Line. However, culturally, Afghanistan has always been close to India, and relations between the two countries have remained consistent. Currently, there is a Taliban government in Afghanistan that seeks to improve its relations with India.
Against this backdrop, the Taliban government’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Amir Khan Muttaqi, is visiting India. He met with Foreign Minister Mr. Jaishankar and held a lengthy conversation. Following this conversation, a joint statement was issued by both countries. This statement is considered to lay a new foundation for future relations between the two countries. As is well known, US forces remained stationed in Afghanistan until 2021. They withdrew this year, and the Taliban regime took over. Before coming to power, the Taliban were considered to have very good relations with Pakistan. However, after the formation of the Taliban government, Pakistan began to show its true colors, and this friendship began to fade, and the two became increasingly hostile. Pakistan wanted the Taliban to remain its stooge, which they refused to accept and developed their own independent thinking. India currently has only a technical foreign office in Afghanistan, which will soon be converted into an embassy. Global circumstances have also changed significantly since 2021. Pakistan has become Afghanistan’s adversary, and its neighboring country, Iran, has become significantly weakened. Afghanistan has enjoyed strong relations with Russia since the Soviet era, but currently, Russia is embroiled in its own war with Ukraine. Since Donald Trump became President of the United States for the second time, his attitude towards Afghanistan has changed significantly. He is increasingly prioritizing Pakistan in the Indian subcontinent.
On the other hand, China’s attitude towards Afghanistan appears to be very friendly. It has established full diplomatic relations with the Taliban government and is steadily increasing its presence in the country, even exchanging ambassadors. From this perspective, India’s friendship with Afghanistan is crucial to its national security. Therefore, India is proceeding in this direction very carefully and is also managing its substantial investments in Afghanistan. This is why, in the joint statement, India stated that terrorism is a common enemy for both countries, as both face threats from cross-border terrorism. Therefore, the joint statement strongly condemns cross-border regional terrorism and states that Afghanistan will not allow its territory or its people to be used to spread terrorism in another country. India also stated its complete commitment to the integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Afghanistan. Mutual cooperation between the two countries will promote development in this direction. This will also promote regional stability and strengthen India’s position in the Indian subcontinent, which will contribute to maintaining peace in the region.
