Why rival Asian powers are racing to woo the Taliban

Pariahs less than four years ago, Afghanistan's extremist leadership is now courted by China, India and Pakistan

- ARPAN RAI

Afghanistan's Taliban, who were a pariah on the global stage less than four years ago, are now being courted by three Asian nuclear powers - India, Pakistan and China - all vying to upgrade their diplomatic ties with the former militants.

No international government has formally recognised the Taliban administration, but China, India, and the United Arab Emirates are among the nations that have officially accepted its ambassadors in their capitals since the militant group took control of Kabul in 2021. The Taliban administration said last year it was in control of 39 Afghan embassies and consulates globally.

The Taliban's isolation, at least in Asia, seems to be coming to an end. Playing the role of big brother to both Kabul and Islamabad, Beijing this week sought to ease the tensions gripping the two countries stoked by terrorism and deportation of refugees.

On Wednesday, China's foreign minister Wang Yi said after his talks with Afghanistan's acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, that the two countries planned to upgrade their diplomatic ties and send ambassadors to each other as soon as possible.

A photo of the informal gathering showed Wang Yi holding hands with Mr Dar and mr Muttaqi. "China welcomes this and is willing to continue providing assistance for the improvement of Afghanistan-Pakistan relations," he said.

Pakistan expelled more than 8,000 Afghan nationals in April in a fresh repatriation drive after the expiry of a 31 March deadline.

Islamabad says the drive is part of a campaign called the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan, launched in late 2023. Pakistan has in the past blamed militant attacks and crimes on Afghan citizens, who form the largest portion of migrants in the country. Afghanistan has rejected the accusations. Kabul has termed the repatriation as forced deportation.