Taliban Condemns Pahalgam Attack: A New Chapter in India-Afghanistan Relations?

On April 22, 2025, a horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, claimed the lives of 26 civilians, mostly tourists, in a religiously motivated assault linked to Pakistan-based militants. In a surprising and significant move, the Taliban administration in Afghanistan swiftly condemned the attack, marking a rare alignment with India’s stance on terrorism. This condemnation was followed by a historic phone call on May 15, 2025, between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the Taliban’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi—the first ministerial-level contact since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. What does this diplomatic outreach mean for India-Afghanistan relations and regional security? Let’s dive into the details.

The Pahalgam Attack and Taliban’s Response

The Pahalgam attack, which targeted civilians at the scenic Baisaran meadow, sent shockwaves across India and the region. The brutality of the assault, where terrorists identified victims by their faith before killing them, drew widespread condemnation. Among the voices denouncing the attack was the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi stating, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan categorically condemns the recent attack on tourists in the Pahalgam region of Jammu and Kashmir, and expresses condolences to the bereaved families.” The statement highlighted that such incidents “undermine efforts to ensure regional security and stability.”

This condemnation was notable not only for its clarity but also for its timing, coming amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the attack. The Taliban’s stance countered Pakistan’s narrative, particularly after Islamabad falsely claimed that India had orchestrated a “false flag” operation or launched strikes into Afghan territory during India’s Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory strike against Pakistani terrorist camps. The Taliban’s swift denial of these claims, alongside their condemnation, signaled a desire to distance themselves from Pakistan’s accusations and align with India on counterterrorism.

A Historic Diplomatic Outreach

On May 15, 2025, S. Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with Amir Khan Muttaqi, marking the first political-level engagement between India and the Taliban since the 1999–2000 IC-814 hijacking crisis. Jaishankar expressed deep appreciation for the Taliban’s “strong condemnation” of the Pahalgam attack and welcomed Muttaqi’s “firm rejection of recent attempts to create distrust between India and Afghanistan through false and baseless reports,” particularly Pakistan’s allegations.

The conversation went beyond the attack, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s “traditional friendship with the Afghan people” and pledged continued support for Afghanistan’s development needs, including resuming infrastructure projects and exploring new ones. The leaders also discussed the strategic Chabahar Port in Iran, which offers Afghanistan an alternative trade route bypassing Pakistan, and addressed visa facilitation for Afghan traders and patients, as well as the release of Afghan prisoners in India.

This dialogue built on earlier interactions, including a visit by Indian diplomat Anand Prakash to Kabul on April 27, 2025, days after the attack, and a January 2025 meeting between Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Muttaqi in Dubai. These engagements reflect India’s cautious but pragmatic approach to the Taliban regime, which New Delhi has not formally recognized.

Why This Matters

The Taliban’s condemnation and the subsequent India-Afghanistan dialogue are significant for several reasons:

1. Counterterrorism Alignment: The Taliban’s condemnation of the Pahalgam attack aligns with India’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism, offering a potential channel to prevent Afghan soil from being used for anti-India activities. This is critical given historical concerns about the Taliban’s ties with Pakistan-based groups.

2. Regional Dynamics: The outreach comes amid strained India-Pakistan relations following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, which triggered a brief but intense exchange of drones and missiles. The Taliban’s stance and India’s engagement signal a strategic shift, countering Pakistan’s influence in Afghanistan and reducing its “strategic depth.”

3. Economic and Humanitarian Cooperation: India’s commitment to resume projects and support Afghanistan’s development, including through the Chabahar Port, strengthens economic ties. This is vital for landlocked Afghanistan, especially after India-Pakistan trade routes were severed post-Pahalgam, impacting Afghan exports like dry fruits.

4. Pragmatic Diplomacy: India’s engagement with the Taliban, despite not recognizing their regime, reflects a realist approach to secure national interests and maintain influence in a volatile region. This is particularly important as China and Pakistan deepen ties with the Taliban, raising concerns in New Delhi.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

While this diplomatic outreach is promising, challenges remain. India’s cautious engagement must balance ideological differences with the Taliban while ensuring Afghanistan does not become a proxy battleground in India-Pakistan tensions. The Taliban’s commitment to counterterrorism will be tested, especially given their historical ties with groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Moreover, India must navigate regional rivalries, with China facilitating Pakistan-Afghanistan talks, as seen in a May 21, 2025, trilateral meeting in Beijing.

For now, the Taliban’s condemnation and Jaishankar’s outreach signal a potential reset in India-Afghanistan relations. India’s approval of 160 Afghan trucks carrying dry fruits through the Attari border as a “special gesture” post-Pahalgam underscores this goodwill. Moving forward, sustained dialogue, humanitarian aid, and infrastructure support could pave the way for stronger ties, provided both sides maintain trust and mutual respect

The Taliban’s condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack and the historic dialogue between S. Jaishankar and Amir Khan Muttaqi mark a pivotal moment in India-Afghanistan relations. Amid regional tensions and past mistrust, this outreach reflects India’s pragmatic diplomacy and Afghanistan’s desire for stability and cooperation. As both nations explore new avenues for collaboration, from trade to counterterrorism, the world watches to see if this could herald a new chapter in their ties. What are your thoughts on this unexpected alignment? Share your views in the comments below!