A group of Afghan political and civil society activists strongly criticized India on Thursday for initiating direct diplomatic contact with the Taliban, calling it a betrayal of the Afghanistan people. The backlash came after India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a phone call with the Taliban's acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi - a move seen as a significant diplomatic shift.

On May 15, former Afghanistan cabinet minister Nargis Nehan warned India against trusting the Taliban, stating on X,“The enemy of your enemy may be an interesting friend, but never a reliable partner.” She argued that India's recent engagement ignores its long-standing ties with the Afghanistan people and elevates a regime that once targeted Indian personnel and interests in Afghanistan.

The call, which followed the Taliban's condemnation of a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, was warmly received in New Delhi. Minister Jaishankar expressed“deep appreciation” for the Taliban's statement and accused Pakistan of spreading misinformation to undermine growing ties between the two. He referenced a Pakistani military claim that India had fired rockets into Afghanistan territory, dismissing it as an attempt to create mistrust.

India's outreach marks a striking shift, given the Taliban's past alignment with Pakistan and its history of violence against Indian diplomatic and aid missions in Afghanistan. Since retaking power in 2021, the Taliban have sought greater international engagement, and India's response to recent overtures signals a possible recalibration in South Asia's diplomatic landscape.

The Indian foreign minister confirmed on X that he and Muttaqi discussed“future avenues for cooperation.” However, Afghan activists have denounced the move as morally and strategically misguided. Political commentator Bahar Mehr, writing from the U.S., called it“a shameful moment in Indian diplomacy,” warning that the Taliban share the same ideology as Islamist militants who have attacked India in the past.

Former Afghanistan MP Fawzia Koofi also criticized India's actions, saying the country had prioritized geopolitical interests over shared democratic values. She echoed growing concerns that India is legitimizing a regime that continues to suppress women and silence opposition.

India's approach reflects a broader regional trend of pragmatism over principle. However, the backlash from Afghan civil society signals that any attempt to normalize ties with the Taliban risks alienating those who have long counted India as an ally of democratic values and human rights.

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