India is changing course in Afghanistan, and the consequences could be serious for U.S. national security and global stability. In recent months, India has begun building stronger ties with the Taliban government, a regime once seen as a threat to regional peace. This move comes as tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan rise sharply, with deadly attacks on both sides of the border and growing fears of full-blown conflict.
The Taliban came back to power in Afghanistan in 2021 after the Biden administration’s disastrous withdrawal. Since then, the country has fallen into economic crisis, and the Taliban have ruled through fear. Women are banned from schools and jobs. Journalists face harsh restrictions. Religious minorities live in fear. Despite all this, India is now opening up diplomatic channels and even preparing to reopen its full embassy in Kabul.
This is a big shift. India used to support forces that fought against the Taliban. But now New Delhi sees a chance to protect its own interests by moving closer to them. One major reason is minerals. Afghanistan is rich in lithium, copper, and other materials used in electric vehicles and batteries—resources India sees as vital for its economy and national security in the years ahead. With China also pushing into Afghanistan, India is moving fast to secure its own share.
India’s rivalry with Pakistan is another key factor. For decades, India and Pakistan have fought over the region of Kashmir and supported different sides in Afghan politics. Now, as Pakistan’s relationship with the Taliban falls apart, India is stepping in. Pakistan blames the Afghan Taliban for helping a group called the Pakistani Taliban, or TTP. This group has carried out deadly attacks inside Pakistan, including one that killed several soldiers. Pakistan has responded with airstrikes inside Afghanistan, killing civilians. The Taliban have threatened to strike back.
Pakistan also accuses India of supporting the TTP, though both India and the Taliban deny this. But the truth is, none of the players in the region trust each other. India sees Pakistan as a threat. Pakistan sees India and the Taliban as working together. And the Taliban are trying to play both sides while surviving under international pressure and economic collapse.
For the United States, this situation is troubling. A region already unstable is becoming more dangerous. The chance of war between two nuclear-armed states—India and Pakistan—is rising. Meanwhile, the Taliban continue to harbor extremist groups that could threaten the U.S. and its allies. By building stronger ties with the Taliban, India may be giving legitimacy to a regime that still supports terrorism.
There are also serious questions about whether the Taliban can be trusted as a long-term partner. While India hopes to gain access to minerals and trade routes, Afghanistan’s infrastructure is weak. A recent incident involving an Afghan airline landing on the wrong runway in Delhi shows just how fragile the country’s aviation and safety systems are.
Some Indian citizens are also worried. The Taliban are responsible for the death of Indian journalist Danish Siddiqui, who was brutally killed in 2021. Families of victims fear that India’s outreach to the Taliban removes pressure for justice and accountability.
While India insists that engagement is not the same as endorsement, the Taliban are clearly benefiting. They gain economic help, diplomatic recognition, and a new trading partner. Other Asian nations are watching closely. Indonesia and Japan are already considering similar moves, seeking to protect their own energy and mineral interests.
In short, the region is shifting fast. India’s outreach to the Taliban may help it compete with China and weaken Pakistan, but it also risks fueling more violence and giving power to a brutal regime. For the United States, the message is clear: the fallout from the 2021 withdrawal is far from over. The U.S. must stay alert, support allies, and protect its interests in a region that remains a breeding ground for conflict and extremism.