Jaishankar breaks diplomatic freeze with Taliban, signals new regional equation after Pahalgam terror attack

In a momentous shift in regional diplomacy, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a landmark conversation with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, marking the first political-level dialogue between the two sides since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in August 2021.

The unprecedented outreach comes in the wake of heightened cross-border tensions and the Pahalgam terror attack that left several Indian and foreign tourists dead — an incident swiftly condemned by the Taliban government, further isolating Pakistan in the regional narrative.

“Good conversation with Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi this evening,” Jaishankar said in a post on X. “Deeply appreciate his condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Welcomed his firm rejection of recent attempts to create distrust between India and Afghanistan through false and baseless reports.”

Jaishankar’s remarks pointedly addressed disinformation circulating from Pakistani quarters, including absurd claims that Indian missiles had struck Afghan territory — a notion India has dismissed as “ludicrous.”

Rekindling historic ties

Reaffirming India’s “traditional friendship” with the Afghan people, Jaishankar emphasized continued support for Afghanistan’s development. Discussions also focused on deepening cooperation, economic engagement, and regional connectivity initiatives such as the Chabahar Port project.

According to a statement from the Afghan Foreign Ministry, Muttaqi described India as “an important regional country” and expressed optimism about strengthening ties. He also urged India to ease visa processes for Afghan traders and patients and called for the release and repatriation of Afghan prisoners held in Indian jails.

Jaishankar, the Ministry noted, committed to fast-tracking both requests and acknowledged the longstanding cultural and diplomatic relationship between the two nations.

A carefully timed diplomatic reset

The call follows a quiet but deliberate re-engagement strategy by India, signaled earlier this year when Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Muttaqi in Dubai—the first such high-level bilateral engagement with the Taliban regime. That January meeting tackled security concerns, development aid, and humanitarian assistance, including the rehabilitation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan.

In late April, M Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary overseeing Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, also made a discreet visit to Kabul, further hinting at New Delhi’s intent to recalibrate ties amid shifting geopolitical currents.

The Taliban, in its recent statements, has repeatedly signaled its desire for balanced and constructive relations with India, while also criticizing terror incidents like the Pahalgam attack as threats to regional stability.

Looking forward

With both sides expressing interest in reviving economic and diplomatic channels—and amid a rare alignment over a terror incident—this new chapter could reshape South Asia’s balance of influence. Whether the dialogue leads to deeper ties or remains a cautious exchange in a volatile region remains to be seen.

What is clear: New Delhi has cracked open a diplomatic door long considered sealed — and done so on its own terms.