When the Afghan Taliban returned to power in August 2021, it was a blow to India and a great strategic victory for Pakistan. It was a setback for India because its years of investment in the administrations of Karzai and Ghani went down the drain, as the new rulers in Kabul were perceived as pro-Pakistan and even Rawalpindi's proxy. Pakistan and India have competed for gaining a foothold in Afghanistan for decades. For Pakistan, denying India space in Afghanistan helps avoid a two-front situation - threats both from the eastern and western sides. For India, any pro-Pakistan setup in Afghanistan could embolden Islamabad's strategic options. Hence, Afghanistan's relationship with India and Pakistan will always carry regional implications.

Against this backdrop, the ongoing visit of Afghan Interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is an extraordinary development. It is significant since this marks the first visit by any top Afghan Taliban functionary to New Delhi. India may have a history of friendly ties........

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