Has India’s influence in Afghanistan grown under the Taliban? | Pakistan Taliban News
Pakistan Accuses Taliban of Indian Allegiance Amid Rising Tensions
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan has accused the Taliban government in Afghanistan of acting as a “proxy” for India, escalating tensions between the two neighbors.
The allegations come in the wake of Pakistan conducting airstrikes on Kabul on Friday morning. Following the attacks, Pakistan’s Minister of Defence Khawaja Asif took to social media platform X, stating that the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan in July 2021 had raised hopes for stability in the region. “It was expected that peace would prevail in Afghanistan and that the Taliban would focus on the interests of the Afghan people and regional stability,” he wrote.
However, Asif claimed the Taliban has instead allowed Afghanistan to become a “colony of India” and accused them of “exporting terrorism.” He elaborated that Pakistan had made significant diplomatic efforts to maintain regional stability but alleged that the Taliban is now aligned with India’s interests. He declared an “open war” with Afghanistan over these issues, a statement that underscores the deteriorating relationship between the two countries.
This is not the first instance in which Asif has linked India to Afghanistan’s internal conflicts. Last October, he claimed that India seeks to engage in a “low-intensity war” with Pakistan, allegedly using Afghanistan as a base. Asif has yet to provide evidence to support these claims, and the Taliban has denied any influence from India.
In response to Pakistan’s recent military actions, India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the airstrikes, which reportedly resulted in civilian casualties during the holy month of Ramadan. Foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated the condemnation and characterized the actions as an attempt by Pakistan to deflect its internal challenges.
As questions arise regarding India’s influence in Afghanistan under the Taliban’s rule, it’s important to understand the historical context. When the Taliban first rose to power in 1996, India adopted a hostile stance, not recognizing the Taliban and severing diplomatic relations. India viewed the group as a proxy for Pakistan’s intelligence agencies.
After the US-led invasion in 2001, which toppled the Taliban, India resumed relations with Afghanistan, investing heavily in development projects. However, following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, India again shut its embassy and did not officially recognize the new government.
In recent months, as relations between Pakistan and the Taliban soured, India has cautiously reengaged with Afghanistan. This includes sending technical experts to Kabul and reopening its embassy last year. Indian officials and Taliban representatives have reportedly held discussions in various international venues.
India has also provided humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, sending food and medical supplies following a devastating earthquake in November 2025. Analysts suggest that India’s outreach may be driven by a desire to counterbalance Pakistan’s influence, especially amidst deteriorating Indo-Pak relations.
While tensions persist, the evolving dynamics reflect a broader strategic landscape in South Asia, with India keen on ensuring that its interests are secured amid the complexities introduced by the Taliban’s governance.
