India: Punishing the Taliban Has Not Worked

Kokcha News Agency: On Wednesday, India’s representative at the UN Security Council declared that the policy of pressuring and punishing the Taliban has not yielded the desired results. He argued that the Taliban’s positive actions should be rewarded, and the international community should assist in correcting the group’s flawed policies. India’s primary focus, he said, remains achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The representative also highlighted Pakistan’s support for terrorist groups and urged the international community to work collectively to prevent Afghanistan’s soil from being used by terrorist organizations. He assured that India is closely monitoring the security situation in Afghanistan.

India’s representative emphasized the country’s commitment to strengthening its historical ties with Afghanistan and its people. He noted that peace and stability in Afghanistan are of utmost importance to New Delhi.

Citing centuries-old civilizational and cultural connections between India and Afghanistan, the representative stated that this historical bond motivates India to engage more closely with the Afghan people.

He stressed the importance of regional consensus on Afghanistan, noting that India is actively participating in UN meetings, Doha talks, and other regional forums to promote stability in the country.

The representative also mentioned that India’s Foreign Minister has been in contact with the Taliban’s Foreign Minister. He praised the Taliban’s condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025.

India’s representative called for a balanced approach toward Afghanistan, warning that current strategies are unlikely to change the status quo and should be avoided.

Unlike in the 1990s, India now maintains close ties with the Taliban, although it does not officially recognize the group’s government. However, India has engaged with the Taliban at the Foreign Minister level.

The U.S. has hindered the expansion of India-Taliban relations by denying a travel permit for Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s Foreign Minister. Muttaqi was invited to New Delhi by his Indian counterpart, but the Indian government withdrew the travel request following Washington’s objection.

During the Security Council meeting, China and Russia accused the U.S. of misusing sanction mechanisms. They argued that expanding relations with the Taliban is inevitable and that the U.S. is using sanctions to pressure the group, particularly in efforts to secure the release of its citizens from Taliban prisons.

India’s statement at the Security Council indicated alignment with the positions of China, Russia, and Iran on expanding global engagement with the Taliban.