Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government is increasingly turning to India for trade, investment, and development support, signaling a significant shift in its foreign policy and economic priorities.

For over two decades, Taliban rhetoric painted India as a Hindu “kafir” state that backed “anti-Islam” forces in Kabul.

India was frequently accused of meddling in Afghan affairs, with Indian consulates labeled as intelligence hubs and Indian aid dismissed as foreign interference.

Now, the same government is sending its foreign and commerce ministers to New Delhi, seeking investment, markets, and infrastructure support.

From Ideology to Pragmatism

The pivot represents a marked departure from past ideological positions. The Taliban once justified the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas as a fight against “un-Islamic idols” and the Buddhist-Hindu civilization. Today, they court India, a country that actively promotes and protects the very cultural heritage the Taliban attacked.

Similarly, the Taliban’s historical narrative of labeling the Kabul republic as “India’s puppet” contrasts sharply with their current dependence on India for wheat supplies, reconstruction funds, trade corridors, and access to ports. Analysts note that this transactional approach highlights a pragmatic prioritization of economic stabilization over past ideological claims.

Strategic Choices Over Religious Rhetoric
Despite their repeated emphasis on Muslim solidarity and historic ties with Pakistan, the Taliban have increasingly bypassed their immediate Muslim neighbor amid tensions over border issues, TTP activity, and refugee flows, choosing instead to strengthen ties with India.

Likewise, the Emirate has historically opposed “Western economic systems” and interest-based finance. Yet, it is now leveraging India’s connections to global financial institutions to access banking channels, investments, and reconstruction projects.

Domestic Absolutism vs Foreign Flexibility
While maintaining strict domestic policies—restricting girls’ education, women’s work, and media freedoms in the name of “pure Sharia”—the Taliban display flexibility abroad, negotiating with former ideological adversaries to secure aid, trade, and diplomatic recognition.

Notably, issues such as Kashmir, India’s Citizenship Amendment Act, and anti-Muslim violence receive little attention during official visits to New Delhi, reflecting a prioritization of economic and diplomatic objectives over ideological messaging.

Borders and Recognition
The Taliban continue to challenge the Durand Line with Pakistan but show restraint in dealings with India, respecting its security concerns and acknowledging practical realities, despite India not formally recognizing the Taliban regime. These repeated ministerial visits underscore a clear pursuit of de facto recognition and international legitimacy.

Expert Takeaway
Observers suggest that Afghanistan’s Taliban government has set aside past jihadist and ideological rhetoric in dealings with India, prioritizing trade, aid, and political recognition. Analysts note that this pragmatic approach demonstrates the tension between the Taliban’s domestic ideological rigidity and their foreign policy pragmatism in a fragile state.

US President Donald Trump announced that he will meet New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House on Friday, marking the first encounter between the Republican leader and the democratic socialist who won this month’s mayoral election.

The two figures have previously been critical of one another, with Trump supporting Mamdani’s rival, Andrew Cuomo, during the campaign.

Meanwhile, Mamdani has criticized Trump administration policies, including immigration crackdowns and the handling of protests against US support for Israel amid the Gaza conflict.

Trump confirmed the meeting on social media, stating, “We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st.”

Earlier in the week, Mamdani told reporters that his team had contacted the White House to arrange the discussion. “My team reached out to the White House to fulfill a commitment I made to New Yorkers over the course of this campaign,” he said on Monday.

Mamdani’s transition team has not immediately responded to Trump’s announcement on Wednesday.

Trump has repeatedly turned the powers of the presidency on political rivals. During the New York City mayoral election campaign, Trump threatened to withhold billions of dollars in federal funding from the city if Mamdani won.

Mamdani made countering the 79-year-old Republican president’s actions in the city, especially on immigration, a centrepiece of his successful campaign.

Mamdani will be sworn in as New York City mayor on January 1, 2026.

• India has sought acquisition of up to 216 Excalibur projectiles.
• New Delhi also wants to acquire 100 units of the Javelin system.
• India already uses Excalibur artillery ammunition in its M-777 guns.

NEW DELHI: The US State Department has approved the sale of Javelin anti-tank missile system and Excalibur guided artillery munitions worth $93 million to India, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said on Wednesday.

The purchase of US defence equipment is India’s first under Washington’s foreign military sales programme since ties soured in August after President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50% as punishment for New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil.

It follows a re-order this month of fighter jet engines made by General Electric to power more of India’s home-produced Tejas combat aircraft.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defence partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions,” the DSCA said in a statement.

The Indian government had requested to buy up to 216 Excalibur tactical projectiles and 100 units of the Javelin system, the DSCA said. India already uses the Excalibur artillery ammunition in its M-777 Howitzer guns.

The principal contractors for the sales will be RTX Corp for the Excalibur projectiles and its joint venture with Lockheed Martin for the Javelin systems, the DSCA said.