India ramps up support after Afghan quake, vying with China for influence Azad News HD
India Steps Up Aid to Taliban-Ruled Afghanistan: Positioning Itself as South Asia’s “First Responder” Amid Strategic Rivalry with China
In the aftermath of Monday’s devastating earthquake that struck western Afghanistan, killing hundreds and displacing thousands, India has moved swiftly to provide humanitarian assistance, dispatching medical teams, relief supplies, and emergency aid to the quake-hit regions. The move, though humanitarian on the surface, carries profound geopolitical significance. By branding itself as the region’s “first responder,” New Delhi seeks not only to alleviate Afghan suffering but also to reassert its strategic footprint in a country where China, Russia, and Pakistan have been seeking greater influence since the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces in 2021.
Officials and analysts in both New Delhi and Kabul interpret India’s latest outreach as part of a broader recalibration of its regional policy — one that blends soft power diplomacy with a quiet but determined re-entry into Afghanistan’s humanitarian and developmental landscape. The move also underscores India’s desire to distinguish itself as a responsible regional power capable of responding to crises faster and more effectively than its geopolitical rivals.
The Earthquake and the Humanitarian Crisis
The 6.3-magnitude earthquake that rocked western Afghanistan early Monday morning caused catastrophic damage in Herat and surrounding districts. The tremors leveled entire villages, leaving thousands without shelter as winter approaches. According to initial reports from local authorities, hundreds were killed, with many more trapped under debris. Hospitals across the region were overwhelmed, lacking adequate medical supplies, and many survivors were left to fend for themselves amid widespread devastation.
International aid, however, has been slow to arrive. Sanctions on the Taliban government, logistical hurdles, and global fatigue with Afghan crises have hindered relief efforts. In this void, India emerged as one of the first nations to extend concrete assistance. Within hours of the earthquake, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the immediate dispatch of relief material, including tents, blankets, medical equipment, and food supplies, to the affected areas through special flights and overland routes.
A spokesperson for the MEA stated, “India stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan in this hour of tragedy. Our humanitarian assistance reflects the deep bonds of friendship and historical ties between our peoples.”
The statement was accompanied by visuals of Indian Air Force aircraft being loaded with relief packages marked “From the People of India to the People of Afghanistan.”
India’s Rapid Response: Strategy and Symbolism
While India’s prompt humanitarian response was widely praised, observers noted that New Delhi’s actions also reflect a calculated diplomatic strategy. By positioning itself as the “first responder,” India is signaling to the region — and to the world — that it remains a relevant and proactive player in Afghan affairs despite not formally recognizing the Taliban government.
This delicate balancing act allows India to maintain engagement without compromising its official stance on the Taliban’s legitimacy. New Delhi continues to call for an inclusive government in Afghanistan that represents all ethnic and political groups, respects women’s rights, and prevents the use of Afghan soil for terrorism.
However, India’s growing aid footprint demonstrates a pragmatic recognition that isolation is no longer an option. As one Indian diplomat anonymously remarked to the media, “You can’t shape outcomes in a country by staying out of it. Our approach is to help the Afghan people while protecting our national interests.”
This nuanced engagement — humanitarian but strategically conscious — helps India maintain access and goodwill among Afghans, especially as China and Pakistan deepen their own presence through investment and infrastructure initiatives.
Countering China’s Expanding Influence
One of the unspoken motivations behind India’s increased aid activity is the growing influence of China in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Beijing has been actively negotiating with the Taliban leadership for access to Afghanistan’s vast mineral reserves, infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and potential connectivity routes that bypass India.
China recently signed preliminary agreements for mining lithium and copper, and Chinese engineers have visited Kabul to assess investment opportunities. Moreover, Beijing has maintained high-level contacts with Taliban officials, portraying itself as a potential economic savior in a nation starved of development aid.
India, meanwhile, has been cautious but observant. The rapid dispatch of humanitarian assistance after the earthquake gives New Delhi a chance to project an image of moral leadership and reliability — one that contrasts with China’s transactional and resource-driven approach.
Analyst Rakesh Sood, a former Indian diplomat and expert on South Asia, noted:
“China’s engagement in Afghanistan is strategic and economic, while India’s is humanitarian and people-centric. By acting swiftly during a crisis, India reinforces its credibility as a partner driven by compassion, not calculation.”
This contrast could prove critical in the long term as Afghanistan’s population, weary of foreign interference and exploitation, continues to value countries that provide unconditional help during moments of distress.
India’s Longstanding Engagement with Afghanistan
India’s relationship with Afghanistan predates the Taliban era and is rooted in decades of development cooperation, cultural exchange, and political support. From the 1950s onwards, New Delhi invested in Afghanistan’s education, infrastructure, and healthcare.
Between 2001 and 2021 — during the U.S.-backed governments — India emerged as one of Afghanistan’s largest regional donors, contributing more than $3 billion in aid. Major projects included the Afghan Parliament building in Kabul, the Salma Dam (now renamed the India-Afghanistan Friendship Dam), the Zaranj-Delaram highway linking Iran with Afghanistan, and hundreds of community-level projects in education, agriculture, and health.
After the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, India’s presence in Kabul diminished drastically. Yet, even then, New Delhi maintained humanitarian assistance through the World Food Programme (WFP) and other international agencies. Shipments of wheat, medicine, and COVID-19 vaccines were sent via land routes through Pakistan — a rare instance of coordination between the two rivals for humanitarian purposes.
Now, with the earthquake providing an opening for direct engagement, India seems intent on reviving its image as Afghanistan’s reliable partner — one that focuses on people rather than politics.
Taliban’s Reaction: Warm but Watchful
Interestingly, the Taliban authorities have welcomed India’s aid with open arms. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, expressed gratitude for the Indian government’s assistance, saying, “We appreciate India’s support during this natural disaster. Humanitarian cooperation is a positive step that can strengthen bilateral relations.”
This marks a noticeable shift from earlier Taliban rhetoric, which often criticized India for its alignment with the previous Afghan government. Analysts believe that the Taliban, facing economic isolation and a legitimacy crisis, sees value in maintaining cordial ties with India — not least because of India’s potential to bring developmental aid without overt political conditions.
Still, mutual caution persists. India has not reopened its embassy in full, though it maintains a small technical mission in Kabul to oversee aid distribution. For New Delhi, this careful engagement allows it to assist without endorsing the Taliban’s governance model.
The “First Responder” Diplomacy
The term “first responder” has become central to India’s foreign policy narrative in recent years. Whether during natural disasters in Nepal (2015), Sri Lanka’s economic crisis (2022), or earthquakes in Türkiye (2023), India has sought to demonstrate its ability to deliver quick, large-scale assistance in South Asia and beyond.
By acting swiftly after the Afghan earthquake, India reinforces this identity — that of a dependable regional power with logistical capability and moral responsibility. This narrative also helps India counter the perception that it is inward-looking or reactive compared to China’s global activism.
Foreign policy scholar Dr. C. Raja Mohan notes,
“India’s self-image as the ‘first responder’ is not merely about disaster relief; it’s a projection of soft power, responsibility, and regional primacy. It tells the world that South Asia looks to India, not to China, in times of crisis.”
Pakistan’s Position and Regional Dynamics
Pakistan, Afghanistan’s immediate neighbor and traditional power broker, also faces a delicate situation. Historically, Islamabad has maintained close ties with the Taliban and has often viewed India’s engagement in Afghanistan with suspicion. However, in this instance, Pakistan’s response to India’s humanitarian outreach has been relatively muted.
Some analysts believe that Pakistan, facing its own economic challenges and domestic instability, cannot afford to oppose humanitarian efforts publicly. Others see India’s proactive aid delivery as a subtle way of bypassing Pakistan’s narrative dominance on Afghan issues.
Moreover, by delivering aid through air corridors and possibly Iran’s Chabahar Port — a key part of India’s regional connectivity strategy — New Delhi strengthens alternative routes that reduce dependence on Pakistani territory.
Afghanistan’s People: Between Hope and Despair
For ordinary Afghans, India’s assistance provides immediate relief amid dire circumstances. Herat residents interviewed by local media expressed gratitude for the Indian medical and food supplies, recalling India’s longstanding role in building hospitals and roads in their country.
However, the scale of the disaster demands far greater international involvement. United Nations agencies have warned that millions remain vulnerable, with limited access to food, shelter, and clean water. The challenge of delivering aid in Taliban-controlled territories — where women are often barred from working with NGOs — further complicates operations.
India’s presence, even limited, thus carries symbolic value. It signals to Afghans that they are not forgotten by the world and that regional neighbors still care.
Strategic Vision: Balancing Morality and Realpolitik
While humanitarian motivations underpin India’s actions, it would be naive to ignore the geopolitical calculus. By embedding itself in Afghanistan’s humanitarian landscape, India seeks to regain lost influence and safeguard its long-term interests.
These interests include:
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Preventing Afghanistan from becoming a haven for anti-India militant groups.
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Limiting Pakistan’s monopoly over Afghan affairs.
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Countering China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) dominance.
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Preserving access to Central Asia via Iran and Afghanistan.
Thus, India’s aid diplomacy represents a synthesis of compassion and strategy — a reflection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of India as a “Vishwa Mitra” (friend to the world) and a stabilizing force in its neighborhood.
The Global Context: Declining Western Involvement
India’s actions also highlight a broader geopolitical reality — the West’s diminishing engagement with Afghanistan. Since the U.S. withdrawal, Western aid has sharply declined, and most Western embassies remain closed. The Taliban’s repressive policies, especially regarding women’s education and employment, have alienated potential donors.
Into this vacuum step regional powers — China, Russia, Iran, and now India — each pursuing their own mix of security, economic, and diplomatic goals. The absence of the West creates opportunities for these actors to shape Afghanistan’s future in ways that align with their interests.
India, with its experience in development cooperation and democratic ethos, aims to present a more humane alternative.
Challenges Ahead
Despite its noble intentions, India’s engagement with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan faces significant challenges:
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Diplomatic constraints: Without formal recognition, India’s ability to operate freely remains limited.
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Security risks: The threat of attacks on aid convoys or personnel persists, given Afghanistan’s volatile security environment.
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Coordination hurdles: The lack of international consensus on dealing with the Taliban complicates logistics and funding.
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Public perception: Critics within India argue that engagement with the Taliban, even indirectly, could undermine India’s principles regarding democracy and women’s rights.
Nonetheless, the Indian government appears determined to walk this tightrope — pursuing humanitarian engagement while maintaining moral and political distance.
Conclusion: A Humanitarian Gesture with Strategic Depth
India’s rapid and robust response to Afghanistan’s earthquake has reaffirmed its image as a compassionate and capable regional power. By stepping forward as the “first responder,” New Delhi not only addressed an urgent humanitarian need but also sent a clear message — that India remains an indispensable actor in South Asia, ready to shoulder responsibility when others hesitate.
This approach underscores the fusion of moral leadership and strategic foresight that defines India’s contemporary foreign policy. It reflects a mature recognition that influence in Afghanistan — and indeed in the broader region — cannot be sustained through military might or political posturing alone, but through empathy, reliability, and sustained presence.
In the long arc of regional history, India’s gesture after Afghanistan’s earthquake may be remembered not merely as an act of aid, but as a turning point — a moment when New Delhi redefined its role as both a humanitarian power and a strategic stabilizer in a fragile, contested neighborhood.
