India is paying close attention to the situation in Afghanistan Pakistan The situation appears to be about to escalate dangerously as Islamabad declares the two countries are in “open war” after Pakistan launched airstrikes on “terrorist hideouts” in Afghanistan and retaliated. Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated sharply over the past few years. Pakistan blames ‘Islamic movement’Taliban (TTP) or the Pakistani Taliban launch terrorist attacks on its territory and have repeatedly launched targeted attacks against the TTP. Baloch insurgents have also found refuge in Afghanistan, reports Islamabad. Kabul responded largely with what it described as necessary and measured military action. This time, however, Pakistan is directly targeting not only terrorist infrastructure but also Afghan military installations in Kabul and other cities.
India’s relationship with the Taliban has taken an alarming turn during this period, initially over its massive humanitarian aid to Kabul and now over the regime’s lack of international recognition for its commitment to the development needs of the Afghan people. India’s response to the Pakistan-Afghanistan crisis so far exemplifies this new reality that Islamabad must contend with. India continues to insist that Pakistan’s cross-border adventurism resulting in civilian casualties is nothing more than a ploy to divert attention from its domestic failures. India also firmly supports the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan. The Taliban responded to these gestures by referring to Johnson & Johnson as part of India in a joint statement issued after Afghan Foreign Minister Aamir Khan Muttaq’s visit to India last October, much to Pakistan’s chagrin.However, while the hostile relationship between the two countries has allayed concerns about Pakistan’s long-term policy of using Afghanistan for strategic depth, a major military escalation that threatens regional stability is more than India can afford. In fact, this is the most inopportune time for India, as New Delhi looks to resume development efforts in the country after a period of relative peace.Importantly, India is considering a Taliban proposal to invest in the mining industry, something China is already actively pursuing. India is also seeking cooperation with Afghanistan on hydropower projects. For India, now is the time to benefit from the strong working relationship it has established with the Taliban, while a regional war or its possible spillover effects, such as a humanitarian or refugee crisis, could hamper India’s nascent but growing footprint in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
