India's Dilemma with the Taliban
India's decision to strengthen ties with Afghanistan and host the Taliban's acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, can be seen as a strategic move.
Delhi aims to secure a seat at Kabul's geopolitical table to counter Pakistan's influence and protect regional interests.
After the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, India's investments and humanitarian legacy in Kabul were compromised, allowing Pakistan and China to gain ground.
India cosying up to Afghanistan to reclaim the space is understandable.
However, the question remains whether India can host the Taliban without embracing its misogynistic ideology.
Author's Summary
India walks a fine line in hosting the Taliban while rejecting its misogyny.