The recent secret visit of Taliban Deputy Foreign Minister Sadr Ibrahim to India has raised not just eyebrows, but serious concerns in Islamabad. While diplomacy is an accepted norm in international relations, clandestine meetings—especially during a period of heightened regional tension—inevitably signal deeper alignments, intentions, and betrayals.
For years, Pakistan stood as Afghanistan’s unwavering partner, offering not only refuge and resources but also consistent diplomatic support on global forums. From truckloads of wheat to the hosting of millions of Afghan refugees, Pakistan has carried the regional burden of humanitarian responsibility. But Kabul’s quiet turn towards New Delhi, particularly under a Taliban government previously reliant on Pakistan’s goodwill, reflects a worrying and ungrateful shift in posture.
India’s long-standing ambitions in Afghanistan are no secret. Under the guise of development and diplomacy, Indian intelligence—particularly RAW—had embedded itself through a network of consulates, many of which were strategically placed along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. These were less about consular duties and more about surveillance, sabotage, and support to anti-Pakistan elements. The Taliban had previously denounced such activity, but now, by re-engaging with India behind closed doors, they risk legitimizing a power that has historically destabilized the region.
Afghanistan, still without a conventional army, struggles economically and militarily. It leans heavily on its neighbors, particularly Pakistan. In this fragile setting, strengthening ties with India—especially at a time when India is reeling from its recent military setbacks—shows either a strategic miscalculation or a dangerous susceptibility to foreign influence.
India’s outreach to the Taliban appears less about fostering peace and more about countering China-Pakistan collaboration. With CPEC reshaping the economic and logistical map of South Asia, India and its backers have much to lose. Supporting or exploiting instability in Balochistan, where Indian-funded proxies like the BLA operate from Afghan soil, is a continuation of New Delhi’s covert playbook. It is troubling that despite repeated promises, Afghan territory continues to be used to launch anti-Pakistan propaganda and terror campaigns.
Yet, Pakistan stands undeterred. Its military and intelligence capabilities—tested and sharpened—have already exposed and disrupted India’s designs. The recent defense engagement between Pakistan’s tri-services leadership sent a clear signal: Pakistan is not only ready but capable of responding to hybrid threats and conventional aggression alike. The neutralization of high-end platforms like the S-400 and Rafale, and the paralysis of Indian communications infrastructure during recent tensions, reflect a shift in the balance of power. Technical warfare has emerged as Pakistan’s strength, and the region knows it.
For Afghanistan, the message is clear. Strategic independence must not be confused with short-sighted maneuvering. Aligning with a state that has repeatedly targeted Muslim nations, suppressed minorities, and inflamed regional tensions only distances Kabul from its natural partners. Pakistan, despite provocations, has not retaliated with hostility—but patience should not be mistaken for weakness.
Moreover, the Islamic world is watching. While Pakistan maintains regional peace and advances connectivity through CPEC, any move by the Afghan Taliban that undermines these efforts will be seen not just as a diplomatic betrayal, but as a deviation from regional Islamic solidarity. No other Muslim nation has endorsed the denial of girls’ education or the closure of women’s rights as the Taliban have—and yet Pakistan r…
