Afghanistan–India relations

India–Afghanistan Relations (in English):

Afghanistan and India have historically been neighbors since the time India was under British colonial rule, and the two countries have shared cultural ties through Bollywood films and cricket.

During the 1980s, India was the only South Asian country to recognize the Soviet-backed Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. However, diplomatic ties weakened during the Afghan civil wars and the Taliban's rule in the 1990s. After the fall of the Taliban regime, India actively supported Afghanistan's reconstruction efforts and emerged as the largest regional provider of humanitarian aid to the former Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

India invested over $3 billion in development assistance to Afghanistan, making it the fifth-largest donor globally. This support included the construction of more than 200 public and private schools, over 1,000 scholarships for Afghan students, and hosting more than 16,000 Afghan students in India.

A significant milestone was reached in 2011 when Afghanistan and India signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement—the first such agreement Afghanistan signed since the Soviet-Afghan War.

Following the Taliban's return to power in 2021, many Afghan student visas in India were revoked. However, in a notable policy shift, an Indian delegation met with Taliban leaders in Doha in June 2021—facilitated by Qatar—marking a potential change in India's engagement with the new Afghan rulers. Despite this, India still does not formally recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

In June 2022, India sent a "technical team" to operate from its embassy building in Kabul. However, in November 2023, Afghan diplomats loyal to the previous republic declared the embassy permanently closed due to lack of support. Later, under the leadership of Consul General Zakia Wardak and Acting Consul General Syed Muhammad Ibrahimkhel, the embassy was reopened. Currently, Syed Muhammad Ibrahimkhel is serving as the Charge D’Affaires (CDA) at the Afghan Embassy in India.

India–Afghanistan Relations (Historical Overview in English):

The relationship between the people of India and Afghanistan dates back to ancient times, beginning with the Indus Valley Civilization. In the Vedic Age, the region of Gandhara—which lies in modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan—was recognized as one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas (great kingdoms) of ancient India.

Ancient Historical Connections:

After Alexander the Great's invasion, his successor, the Seleucid Empire, controlled the region. However, in 305 BCE, Seleucus Nicator ceded parts of Afghanistan to Chandragupta Maurya (Sandrocottus) of the Maurya Empire in exchange for 500 war elephants and a treaty involving intermarriage, as described by the ancient Greek historian Strabo.

The Mauryan Empire ruled parts of modern Afghanistan, spreading Hinduism and Buddhism in the region. After Ashoka’s death, the Mauryas declined, leading to the Greco-Bactrian reconquest, which later gave way to the Indo-Greek Kingdom. They were eventually replaced by the Indo-Scythians in the 2nd century BCE.

Before the Islamic invasions, eastern Afghanistan, including the Kabul Valley and Zabulistan, remained culturally linked to the Indian subcontinent. The Iranian geographer Istakhri, writing in 921 CE, noted that Kabul was inhabited by the "people of Hind."

Medieval to Early Modern Era:

From the 10th to the mid-18th century, northern India was repeatedly invaded by rulers based in Afghanistan, such as the Ghaznavids, Ghurids, Khaljis, Mughals, and Durranis. During the Mughal era, many Afghans migrated to India seeking stability and opportunity amid political turmoil in their homeland.

Post-Partition Era:

After the partition of British India in 1947, Afghanistan supported the Pashtunistan movement, which sought to create a separate Pashtun nation-state by carving land out of Pakistan. India, due to its historic ties with the Khudai Khidmatgar movement and Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, showed sympathy and limited support for the Pashtun cause, especially through diplomatic and tribal channels.

Contemporary Engagement:

India has played a significant role in rebuilding Afghanistan post-2001, providing over $3 billion in aid—constructing schools, infrastructure, and supporting thousands of students with scholarships. However, Indian workers and interests in Afghanistan have frequently been targeted by insurgents, often linked to Pakistani allegations against India’s intelligence agency RAW.

Despite security threats, India remains involved in construction and development projects, with 3,000 to 4,000 Indians estimated to have worked in Afghanistan in recent years.

Diplomatic Relations:

1950 Treaty of Friendship: Signed in New Delhi, this treaty affirmed “everlasting peace and friendship” and allowed for the establishment of diplomatic and consular missions.
India officially recognized the Republic of Afghanistan on July 19, 1973.
High-level exchanges included:
- Indian Foreign Minister Swaran Singh visiting President Daoud Khan in 1973.
- President Daoud Khan’s visit to India in 1975.
In 1974, a trade protocol was signed to further boost bilateral cooperation.

India–Afghanistan Relations (2001–2016): An Overview in English

Post-2001 Developments:

During the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, India declined to provide military support or bases to the coalition forces. However, once the Taliban regime was overthrown, India quickly established full diplomatic ties with the new democratic Afghan government and became one of its largest regional supporters.

Humanitarian and Development Assistance:

India provided $650–750 million in aid (later raised to over $2 billion), making it Afghanistan’s largest regional donor.
Aid focused on infrastructure (roads, power plants), healthcare, education, and training Afghan civil servants, police, and diplomats.
India also granted scholarships to Afghan students and sought to develop supply lines for energy (electricity, oil, gas) that bypass Pakistan.

Key Infrastructure Projects:

In 2009, India’s Border Roads Organisation built the Delaram–Zaranj highway in Nimroz province, enabling a new trade route from Chabahar port in Iran to Afghanistan.
This bypassed Pakistan, strategically reducing Afghan dependence on Pakistani routes.

Regional and Strategic Cooperation:

India proposed Afghanistan's membership in SAARC in 2005 (Afghanistan became a member in 2007).
Strategic cooperation included joint efforts against Islamic militants.
Following Taliban threats, India deployed 200 Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel for security of its nationals in Afghanistan.

Diplomatic Agreements:

In 2006, three MoUs were signed for cooperation in rural development, education, and standardisation.
India also provided $50 million to promote bilateral business, later increasing its total aid to $750 million that year.

Terrorist Attacks and Indian Response:

July 2008: The Indian embassy in Kabul was attacked by a suicide bomber, killing 58 people including Brigadier Ravi Datt Mehta.
October 2009: Another suicide car bombing at the embassy killed 17 people.
2010: The Arya guest house, housing Indian doctors, was attacked, killing 18 people.
Despite these attacks, India continued its reconstruction efforts, increasing aid to $2 billion by 2011 and donating 250,000 tons of wheat.

Popularity in Afghanistan:

A 2010 Gallup poll showed 50% of Afghans approved of India’s leadership, more than the U.S. or China.

Strategic Partnership:

In October 2011, India and Afghanistan signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement, the first of its kind for Afghanistan.
- Included military training, development aid, and capacity building.
- Launched a Partnership Council in 2012 to implement this pact.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai emphasized that while India is a friend, Pakistan is a brother, reflecting efforts to balance ties.

Security and Defence Cooperation:

May 2014: Indian consulate in Herat attacked by militants. India reaffirmed its commitment to Afghan development.
December 2015:
- India donated 3 Mi-25 attack helicopters to aid Afghan forces.
- PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Afghan Parliament building in Kabul, built by India for $90 million.
- President Ashraf Ghani praised the emotional and historic ties between the two nations.

Major Infrastructure: Salma Dam

June 2016: PM Modi and President Ghani inaugurated the Salma Dam (Herat Province), built by India at a cost of $290 million.
- Generates 42 MW of electricity and supports irrigation.
- Seen as a symbol of Indo-Afghan cooperation, especially in conjunction with the Chabahar port project linking Afghanistan to Central Asia via Iran.

India's deep engagement in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2016 demonstrates a development-first, diplomatically nuanced, and strategically mindful approach—seeking to counter extremism, build goodwill, and strengthen regional stability while consciously avoiding direct military involvement.