India remains committed to Afghanistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence: foreign ministry Azad News HD
India Reaffirms Commitment to Afghanistan’s Sovereignty Amid Rising Pakistan-Afghanistan Tensions
In a strong diplomatic statement highlighting India’s long-standing engagement in Afghanistan, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated on Thursday that New Delhi remains “steadfastly committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Afghanistan.” His remarks come at a time when tensions between Kabul and Islamabad have sharply escalated, with cross-border skirmishes, airspace violations, and verbal exchanges threatening to further destabilize an already fragile South Asian region.
The comments from Jaiswal not only reaffirm India’s support for Afghanistan’s national integrity but also signal New Delhi’s cautious diplomatic balancing act in a neighborhood fraught with competing interests, insurgent violence, and shifting geopolitical alignments. India’s position, articulated in its measured yet firm tone, underscores both its commitment to regional stability and its broader strategic calculus vis-à-vis Pakistan, China, and the evolving political order in Kabul under the Taliban regime.
India’s Longstanding Ties with Afghanistan: A Historical Overview
India’s relationship with Afghanistan is rooted in deep historical, cultural, and civilizational bonds that date back centuries. From ancient trade routes and Buddhist exchanges to modern diplomatic and developmental cooperation, the two nations have shared mutual respect and people-to-people connections. After the fall of the Taliban in 2001, India emerged as one of Afghanistan’s most consistent regional partners, investing over $3 billion in reconstruction and development projects across various sectors.
Some of India’s most visible contributions include the construction of the Afghan Parliament building, the Salma Dam (officially named the India–Afghanistan Friendship Dam) in Herat, and road infrastructure linking Afghanistan’s remote provinces. India’s assistance also extended to training Afghan civil servants, offering scholarships to students, and supporting healthcare initiatives.
Even after the Taliban regained control of Kabul in August 2021, India maintained a cautious yet open stance, emphasizing the importance of humanitarian aid and the well-being of the Afghan people while refraining from formal recognition of the Taliban government. New Delhi re-established a limited diplomatic presence in Kabul in June 2022 to facilitate humanitarian operations — a pragmatic step reflecting its desire to preserve influence without compromising core principles.
Tensions Escalate Between Pakistan and Afghanistan
The backdrop to Jaiswal’s statement is the deteriorating relationship between Islamabad and Kabul, primarily driven by cross-border militancy, territorial disputes, and accusations of harboring militants. Pakistan has long accused Afghanistan of providing sanctuary to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a banned militant organization responsible for numerous attacks inside Pakistani territory. Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership, while officially denying these claims, has often turned a blind eye to TTP elements operating within its borders.
In recent months, Pakistan’s military has launched targeted operations along the border areas, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, citing threats emanating from Afghan soil. Kabul, in response, has accused Pakistan of conducting “unprovoked” airstrikes and violating its sovereignty. The Taliban’s Ministry of Defense described such actions as “aggression,” warning that any future violations would be met with retaliation.
This cycle of accusation and counter-accusation has pushed both nations closer to a potential military confrontation. Civilians living along the Durand Line — the contentious border dividing Pakistan and Afghanistan — have suffered the most, facing displacement, economic hardship, and insecurity. The volatile situation has drawn concern from regional actors, including India, Iran, and China, as well as international organizations monitoring South Asian stability.
India’s Diplomatic Position: A Message of Stability and Sovereignty
Randhir Jaiswal’s statement reflects India’s consistent policy toward Afghanistan — one anchored in respect for sovereignty, non-interference, and regional peace. Without directly naming Pakistan, Jaiswal’s remarks subtly positioned India as a responsible regional actor that advocates for dialogue and stability rather than confrontation and proxy warfare.
“India’s position has always been clear — we support an Afghanistan that is sovereign, independent, united, and at peace with itself and its neighbors,” Jaiswal said. This message resonates strongly within the broader context of South Asian geopolitics, where India seeks to differentiate its approach from Pakistan’s historically security-centric engagement with Kabul.
By reaffirming Afghanistan’s territorial integrity, India sends a dual signal: to Afghanistan, it offers reassurance of continued diplomatic and humanitarian support; to Pakistan, it implies disapproval of cross-border interventions and the use of militant proxies as tools of policy. This calibrated statement aligns with India’s growing global image as a nation that prioritizes rules-based international order and peaceful coexistence.
India’s Strategic Stakes in Afghanistan
Afghanistan holds immense strategic importance for India, both geographically and politically. Located at the crossroads of Central and South Asia, Afghanistan serves as a bridge to energy-rich regions and provides a counterbalance to Pakistan’s influence in the region. India’s investments in infrastructure, trade, and people-to-people ties were designed to foster a stable partner in Kabul that could help limit the influence of extremist networks threatening regional peace.
However, the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 significantly altered these dynamics. New Delhi, while wary of the Taliban’s ideological leanings and historical ties with Pakistan’s security establishment, recognized the necessity of engaging pragmatically. India’s humanitarian outreach — including shipments of wheat, medical supplies, and COVID-19 vaccines — helped maintain goodwill among ordinary Afghans even in the absence of formal diplomatic recognition.
The reaffirmation of support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty thus represents more than just a diplomatic statement; it’s a reaffirmation of India’s long-term interests in preserving an independent Afghan state free from external manipulation. A weakened or fragmented Afghanistan could easily become a hub for terrorism, drug trafficking, and instability — all of which directly impact India’s national security and regional aspirations.
Pakistan’s Response and Regional Implications
While Islamabad has yet to issue an official response to Jaiswal’s statement, analysts expect Pakistan to interpret it within the broader context of Indo-Pakistani rivalry. Pakistan views India’s engagement in Afghanistan through a security lens, often alleging that Indian intelligence agencies have supported separatist or anti-Pakistan elements through Afghan territory — a charge India vehemently denies.
For decades, Pakistan has sought a “friendly” government in Kabul that would limit Indian influence and provide strategic depth against New Delhi. However, the Taliban regime’s growing assertiveness and refusal to fully align with Islamabad’s expectations have complicated that vision. Recent clashes along the border, combined with Kabul’s defiant rhetoric, reveal the limits of Pakistan’s control over the Taliban leadership.
India, on the other hand, sees an opportunity. By presenting itself as a stable, non-interfering partner committed to Afghanistan’s sovereignty, New Delhi enhances its soft power in a region weary of Pakistan’s militarized policies. Moreover, India’s approach aligns with the interests of other regional powers — including Iran and Russia — which share concerns about terrorism and instability emanating from Afghanistan.
The Taliban’s Dilemma: Balancing Between Neighbors
For the Taliban, managing relations with both Pakistan and India represents a delicate balancing act. While Pakistan provided logistical and political support to the Taliban during their insurgency years, the group now seeks to assert independence and legitimacy on the global stage. Taliban leaders have repeatedly emphasized that Afghanistan’s foreign policy decisions will not be dictated by external powers.
This stance has created friction with Islamabad but opened limited channels of engagement with New Delhi. The Taliban have welcomed India’s humanitarian assistance and occasionally expressed interest in expanding economic and cultural cooperation. However, mutual mistrust remains deep-rooted, particularly given India’s support for the previous Afghan Republic government led by Ashraf Ghani.
Still, the Taliban’s recognition of India’s regional importance cannot be ignored. With international recognition still elusive and Afghanistan’s economy in ruins, the Taliban leadership understands that alienating India — a major Asian power with influence in global forums — would be counterproductive. India, meanwhile, maintains a cautious optimism, preferring to focus on people-centric engagement rather than political endorsement.
Geopolitical Dimensions: China, Iran, and Central Asia
The situation in Afghanistan also intersects with broader regional dynamics involving China, Iran, and Central Asian republics. China has deepened its engagement with the Taliban regime, seeking to secure its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) investments and counter threats posed by extremist groups such as the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM). However, Beijing remains wary of Afghanistan’s instability spilling into its western regions.
Iran, sharing a long border with Afghanistan, has taken a pragmatic approach — balancing its sectarian concerns with the need to prevent refugee inflows and border insecurity. Tehran, like New Delhi, supports an Afghanistan that remains independent and free from external domination. India and Iran have also cooperated closely on the Chabahar Port project, which offers Afghanistan an alternative trade route bypassing Pakistan.
The Central Asian states — Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan — have their own stakes, primarily focusing on border security, trade connectivity, and counterterrorism. In this complex mosaic, India’s voice as a responsible regional stakeholder carries moral and diplomatic weight, especially when it advocates for sovereignty and non-interference.
Humanitarian Dimension: India’s People-Centered Approach
Beyond geopolitics, India’s engagement with Afghanistan has consistently prioritized humanitarian needs and capacity building. Since 2021, India has sent thousands of metric tons of wheat, life-saving medicines, winter clothing, and vaccines to Afghanistan. These efforts were coordinated through United Nations agencies and local NGOs to ensure transparency and equitable distribution.
Indian hospitals have continued to treat Afghan patients, and Afghan students already enrolled in Indian universities have received visa extensions and scholarships. India’s humanitarian outreach stands in stark contrast to the militarized or conditional aid approaches adopted by some other countries. This “people-first” diplomacy resonates deeply within Afghanistan, where India is still viewed by many as a trusted partner.
Randhir Jaiswal’s statement therefore reinforces this image — that India’s commitment is not driven by narrow political interests but by a genuine concern for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, welfare, and right to self-determination.
International Reactions and Strategic Calculations
India’s reaffirmation also aligns with the broader international consensus that Afghanistan’s territorial integrity must be respected. The United Nations, the European Union, and the United States have repeatedly emphasized the importance of avoiding external interference and ensuring regional cooperation. However, actual coordination among these powers remains limited, leaving room for regional actors like India to play a constructive role.
For Washington, India’s stable engagement in Afghanistan complements U.S. interests in preventing a resurgence of terrorist safe havens. For Russia and Iran, India’s involvement adds a moderating influence that counterbalances Pakistan and China’s growing footprint. As such, Jaiswal’s statement, while diplomatic in tone, carries strategic depth — positioning India as a stabilizing force in an increasingly volatile neighborhood.
India’s Policy of Strategic Patience
India’s current approach toward Afghanistan can best be described as “strategic patience.” Instead of rushing into formal recognition or political engagement with the Taliban regime, India has chosen to observe developments carefully while maintaining humanitarian channels and limited diplomatic contact. This policy allows New Delhi to adapt to changing realities without compromising principles or alienating allies.
The emphasis on sovereignty and territorial integrity serves as a diplomatic anchor — a principle that India consistently upholds in other regional conflicts as well, from Ukraine to the Middle East. It underscores New Delhi’s broader foreign policy philosophy: that lasting peace must be built on mutual respect and non-interference.
Media and Expert Perspectives
Indian strategic analysts widely view Jaiswal’s remarks as a continuation of India’s calibrated Afghanistan policy. According to Dr. Harsh Pant, a leading foreign policy expert at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), “India’s statement is a reaffirmation of continuity. New Delhi recognizes that Afghanistan’s stability is crucial for regional peace, and supporting its sovereignty is both a moral and strategic necessity.”
Similarly, former Indian diplomat Gautam Mukhopadhaya noted that “India’s focus on sovereignty and territorial integrity sends a message to all regional actors — particularly Pakistan — that cross-border adventurism and interference are unacceptable in modern international relations.”
Afghan commentators, too, have responded positively. Several Afghan media outlets described India as a “true friend” of the Afghan people, contrasting New Delhi’s humanitarian approach with Islamabad’s militarized interventions. Social media discussions among Afghan citizens reflected appreciation for India’s consistent support, even during times of global neglect.
Challenges Ahead for India
Despite its principled stance, India faces several challenges in sustaining its engagement with Afghanistan. The Taliban’s unpredictable governance, internal power struggles, and restrictions on women’s rights have created ethical and diplomatic dilemmas. India must balance humanitarian engagement with international expectations regarding human rights and inclusivity.
Security concerns also persist. The potential revival of extremist networks in Afghanistan poses risks to India’s interests, particularly in Kashmir and across South Asia. Moreover, Pakistan’s attempts to isolate India diplomatically in Afghan affairs could complicate future engagement.
However, India’s steady, principle-driven approach offers resilience against these challenges. By maintaining focus on sovereignty, humanitarianism, and regional stability, New Delhi can continue to play a constructive role without becoming entangled in Afghanistan’s internal politics.
Conclusion: India’s Commitment to a Peaceful, Sovereign Afghanistan
Randhir Jaiswal’s statement, though concise, carries profound geopolitical weight. It reaffirms India’s unwavering commitment to Afghanistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence — principles that form the bedrock of a peaceful and stable South Asia. In an era marked by shifting alliances and great-power competition, India’s voice stands out for its consistency, restraint, and moral clarity.
As Afghanistan navigates its uncertain future — torn between internal challenges and external pressures — India’s support remains a beacon of steady partnership. While other powers pursue strategic gains, India continues to emphasize peace, development, and respect for national sovereignty. This distinction not only enhances India’s credibility but also cements its role as a responsible regional power dedicated to fostering stability in one of the world’s most turbulent regions.
