India to attend Taliban's Victory Day event in Delhi, signalling deeper ties

New Delhi: India is set to participate in the fifth anniversary celebrations of the Taliban's Victory Day at the Afghan embassy in the national capital on Monday, according to official sources. The event, which marks the group's return to Kabul in August 2021 following the withdrawal of US-led Nato forces, is being seen as another step in the growing pragmatic engagement between the two sides.

The invitation has been extended by Afghanistan's charge d'affaires, Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor, and carries the emblem of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Sources said the event is not only endorsed by the Indian side but will also see participation by senior Indian officials, signalling a continuity of diplomatic contact despite New Delhi's stated position of not formally recognising the Taliban regime.

India has consistently maintained that its stance on the Taliban government is in consonance with the international community, which has largely refused to grant official recognition to the interim setup in Kabul. However, India has allowed Taliban diplomats to control the Afghan embassy in New Delhi and has pursued a pragmatic approach, leveraging its historical goodwill and development presence in Afghanistan to protect its regional interests.

The deepening engagement between India and the Taliban has been further aided by the dramatic shift in the latter's ties with Pakistan. India and Afghanistan continue to back each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, with India standing by Kabul in its border disputes with Pakistan. In a notable joint statement last year, the Taliban endorsed India's sovereignty over Jammu and Kashmir, while condemning the Pahalgam terror attack, a move that drew sharp criticism from Islamabad.

Last year, India restored its own embassy in Kabul and agreed to the appointment of Taliban diplomats. This development followed a landmark visit by Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to India, which further cemented the relationship. The visit was seen as a signal that India is willing to engage with the Taliban on critical issues such as trade, humanitarian aid, and regional security, even as it refrains from full diplomatic recognition.

India's participation in the Victory Day event is expected to be watched closely by the international community, as it reflects New Delhi's delicate balancing act between its principles and strategic necessities. While the Taliban's rule has been marked by concerns over women's rights and democratic freedoms, India has chosen to focus on practical areas of cooperation, including counterterrorism and economic assistance, in an effort to remain relevant in Afghanistan's evolving political landscape.

The move also comes at a time when the Taliban is seeking greater legitimacy and engagement with the world. New Delhi's decision to attend the celebrations, even at a non-official level, may be interpreted as a signal of diplomatic flexibility, though officials insist that it does not amount to a change in India's policy of non-recognition. The event is likely to feature speeches and statements underscoring the Taliban's narrative of victory, but India's participation is expected to be limited to demonstrating its continued humanitarian and developmental commitment to the Afghan people.