Interim Taliban government is hell bent to explore new avenues of cooperation with Modi regime. Upcoming visit of Industry and Commerce Minister Noor Ud Din Aziz is commencing on 19 November. Apparently, this visit intends to strengthen the import-export mechanisms and diversification of trade roots for Afghan businesses. In reality, this visit is a follow up of Mullah Mutaqi’s recent past visit to New Delhi which has been tagged with joint border attacks of Afghan forces and TTP’ terrorist on Pakistani posts.
Real Context: Preference to Terror Over Trade
Few days back, Taliban Deputy PM Abdul Ghani Brader warned Afghan traders to windup business with Pakistan within three months. He further announced “New trade routes are being explored”. Few aspects are very clear with this meaningful development, if seen in correct context: –
8 Taliban regime is now feeling the pinch of border closure imposed by Pakistan.
8 Despite trade squeeze pain, Taliban prefer backing the terror over the trade with Pakistan. Simply put, Afghan interim setup loves banned TTP more than the people of Afghanistan.
8 Renewed cozying up with India revolves around anti Pakistan maneuvering, common terror sponsorship plots, geo-strategic bluffing and blatant back tracking from traditional stances.
Nexus between ‘Idol Breakers’ and ‘Idol Worshipers’
Veil of Islam has fallen down from the face of Taliban. For more than twenty years, Taliban public discourse framed India as a Hindu “kafir” state backing “anti-Islam” forces in Kabul. Now the same so-called Emirate is sending its Foreign Minister and Commerce Minister to New Delhi, asking tha “idol-worshipping” state for markets, dams and investments. Journey from Bamiyan Buddha Statue site to the New Delhi is very revealing. Taliban justified blowing up the Bamiyan Buddhas as a war on “un Islamic idols” and “Buddhist-Hindu civilization”. Today, unelected Kabul regime is breaking bread with same India, which positions itself as protector and promoter of the very Buddhist and Hindu heritage the Taliban attacked very proudly.
Big Summersault: From “Indian Agents” in Kabul to Dependence on India
In past, Taliban disregarded the Kabul republic as “India’s puppet” and Indian consulates were framed as RAW terror hubs against Afghanistan and Pakistan. Now, the same Emirate is striving hard to seek Indian wheat, reconstruction money, access to Indian ports and trade corridors, effectively asking that “former enemy” to stabilize the Afghan economy.
Ummah Rhetoric Busted: Backstabber in the
Mask of Neighbor
While Taliban speak constantly about Muslim brotherhood, Islamic solidarity and “historic ties” with Pakistan, their recent moves unmasked the inner side of the regime which is dark and ugly. Once ties with Pakistan became tense on the issues of banned terrorist group TTP, borders and repatriation of refugees; Taliban rushed to open doors with a non-Muslim power instead of first fixing issues with their immediate Muslim neighbor. Bitter truth is undeniable that Taliban are ready to ignore a Muslim state’s core security concerns, while bending over backwards for a Hindu-majority state in the garb of trade and financial issues.
Anti-West, Anti-System Slogans Ripped Apart
Taliban traditionally sought public support by demonizing Western economic slavery, interest-based economy and Non Belivers’ System (Kufr Ka Nizam)”. Contrary to previous pro Islamist populist slogans, now they are lobbying in India, which is deeply tied to Western capital and global financial systems, to unlock banking channels, investments and reconstruction projects for the so-called Emirate.
Preference to Realpolitik Over Sharia
Taliban seized human rights using the misplaced logic of ‘Sharia’. Their domestic narrative is rigid and oppressive ie no compromise on girls’ education, women’s jobs, media freedom – all in the name of self-style “Pure Sharia”. Yet on foreign policy they show extreme flexibility, quickly normalizing with whoever offers cash, corridors and political cover, including the same states they used to brand as anti-Islamic.
Backtracking from Muslim Cause: Silence Over IIOJK; When in Delhi
This flexibility has crossed the redline of the well-thought-out hypocrisy. Taliban-linked clerics and fighters historically celebrated “jihad in Kashmir” and condemned Indian atrocities against the Muslims in IIOJK. During high-profile visits to Delhi, now Taliban have adopted shameful silence on Kashmir, CAA and anti-Muslim pogroms because the priority is trade routes and recognition, not the “oppressed Muslims”.
Durand Line: Indian Tongue in Taliban’s Mouth
Taliban are no more brand ambassadors of Islam, freedom movements and Sharia influenced stances. Rejection of Durand Line as international border and reproducing Indian stance on IIOJK are few relevant examples which prove that Taliban as an entity uttering the Indian narrative with their words and making decisions against neighboring Muslim state to appease the aggressor Hindutva influenced country like India. Saner Afghan quarters having close affection with Islamic teachings are critical to pro-India Taliban elements. They have started questioning the meaningful silence of Taliban on the plight of Indian Muslim including tragic episodes of Mosques demolition, forceful conversions, Hijab bans and mob lynching.
Disgraceful Recognition Chase!
Contrary to the verbal claims of Afghan dignity, Taliban regime is kneeling before India for petty interests. The Emirate often says it does not “beg for recognition”. Yet repeated ministerial trips to New Delhi, a country that has not formally recognized them, expose a clear scramble for de-facto recognition, photo-ops and undue diplomatic legitimacy.
End State: Indo-Taliban Mutual Exploitation Endangering Peace
8 Taliban have used the language of faith and resistance when dealing with Pakistan and the West, but when it comes to India, they quietly park the jihadist rhetoric and act like any other fragile regime: willing to forget past “idols” and “enemies of Islam” in exchange for trade routes, wheat and a seat at the diplomatic table.
8 Unflinching links with terrorist TTP reflects Taliban’s controversial version of Islam which provides space for bloodshed of unarmed innocent Muslims.
8 Apparently, Afghan Taliban are now trying to exploit the India using anti-Pakistan rhetoric. India has backtracked from traditional anti-Taliban stance merely to bleed Pakistan using Afghanistan through TTA. Both, India and Taliban want to exploit each other with a common agenda to hit Pakistan harder using all resources available. This destructive approach and mutual exploitation is perfect recipe to spoil the fragile regional peace.