The temporary lifting of the travel ban on Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi by the UN Security Council Committee marks a significant moment in South Asian diplomacy. His expected visit to India between October 9 and 16, following engagements in Moscow, signals Kabul's intent to recalibrate its regional ties. For Pakistan, this development is layered with strategic, humanitarian and security implications — especially as it undertakes the long-overdue repatriation of Afghan refugees.

Historically, India and Afghanistan have shared warm ties, particularly during the reigns of non-Taliban governments. India invested heavily in Afghanistan's reconstruction post-2001, contributing over $3 billion to developing infrastructure, education and health. The Salma Dam, the Afghan Parliament building and thousands of scholarships for Afghan students are a testament to this engagement.

However, the Taliban's return to power in 2021 disrupted this trajectory. India shuttered its Kabul embassy, only to reopen a technical mission a year later to coordinate humanitarian aid. Now, with Muttaqi's visit, India appears poised to cautiously re-engage. For Afghanistan, India offers potential economic lifelines, diplomatic recognition and regional legitimacy. For India, Afghanistan is a strategic buffer and a potential ally in countering Pakistan's........

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