Jaishankar and Muttaqi Discuss India’s Role in South Asia

Jaishankar and Muttaqi Discuss India’s Role in South Asia

When India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar sat down with Afghan Foreign Minister Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi on October 10, 2025, it felt like more than just another diplomatic photo op. It was India’s first big, public attempt to reconnect with Afghanistan’s Taliban government since 2021.

This was quite acknowledgment that New Delhi might have misplayed its cards in the region and is now trying to make up lost ground.

For two decades, India had invested heavily in Afghanistan including building dams, roads, schools, and even the Parliament building in Kabul. It was all part of a larger strategy to win influence, and also to keep Pakistan uneasy. But once the Taliban returned to power, that investment seemed to evaporate overnight. Pakistan and increasingly China, stepped in with steady engagement, while India hesitated. It was unsure how to deal with a government it did not recognize.

Hence, this week’s meeting looks like India finally realizing it cannot afford to stay out of the Afghan conversation anymore.

“Cultural ties” and the old playbook

India framed the meeting around the idea of “deep rooted cultural and historical ties” with the Afghan people, a line that has been used for years. It is not untrue, but this is also not the full story. Afghanistan has always been more than just a neighbor to India, it has been a stage for quiet strategic maneuvering.

During the years when United States’ troops were present, India used its presence in Afghanistan to balance against Pakistan. Intelligence links ran deep, and some of those networks, Pakistan claimed, were involved in activities meant to stir trouble along its western border. India always denied it, but the perception stuck. So, when Jaishankar talks about friendship and shared heritage, regional watchers tend to read between the lines. Thus, this is not only nostalgia, but is a strategy.

Subtle digs and familiar narratives

Moving forward, Jaishankar also mentioned terrorism “emanating from regional countries.” Nobody had to guess who he meant. India has long accused Pakistan of harboring militants that target Indian interests, and this language keeps that narrative alive.

However, from Pakistan’s point of view, India is not innocent either. Islamabad has publicly accused Indian intelligence of running operations from Afghan soil to destabilize Pakistan. Some of those claims were backed by captured agents and intercepted communications. So, if someone believes it or not, there is enough smoke to suggest there has been some fire. Thus, while New Delhi talks about fighting terrorism, others see that as India’s way of shaping the story, painting itself as the victim while quietly playing its own games.

The Indian Salma Dam and self congratulation

Moreover, India often brings up its development work in Afghanistan, the Salma Dam (later called as the India Afghanistan Friendship Dam), roads, hospitals, the Parliament building. These were meant to showcase goodwill and partnership.

But many Afghans have mixed feelings about them. The Salma Dam, for instance, has faced maintenance issues and there are questions about its value in the long run. Some see these projects as symbols of India’s soft power rather than real solutions for Afghanistan’s needs. They look impressive on paper, but their impact on daily life has been limited. Nevertheless, India continues to highlight them because it reinforces a comforting narrative. The narrative is that New Delhi has always stood by the Afghan people. So, it is a nice story, but not everyone in the region buys it anymore.

India’s quiet struggle for relevance

Despite this recent engagement, India’s influence in Kabul is minimal compared to a few years ago. It has not officially recognized the Taliban government, which makes its diplomacy awkward. Meanwhile, China and Pakistan have established much deeper ties, focusing on infrastructure and trade through regional initiatives like the Belt and Road and the China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Besides, India’s hesitation has cost it. For four years, New Delhi stayed on the sidelines, hoping the Taliban regime might change or collapse. That did not happen. Now, Jaishankar’s meeting feels less like a bold initiative and more like damage control.

And the truth is, without something concrete to offer including security cooperation, investment, or serious economic incentives, India risks being little more than a polite observer in Afghanistan’s future.

Losing the neighborhood

Further, this meeting also says a lot about India’s broader struggle to keep its footing in South Asia. Once seen as the region’s natural leader, India is now finding that its neighbors are less willing to follow its lead. The Maldives has pushed an “India Out” policy. Similarly, Nepal and Bangladesh are deepening economic ties with China. Sri Lanka has learned to play both sides, balancing Beijing’s loans with India’s diplomatic outreach.

These shifts reflect a shared feeling across the region. It is the feeling that India often acts like a big brother who does not listen enough. So, countries are now pursuing independent foreign policies, looking for partners that respect their priorities, not dictate them. For India, this is a reality check. Its traditional influence which was built on size, economy, and historical ties is no longer enough.

A reset, not a revival

So, what does the Jaishankar–Muttaqi meeting really mean? Most probably, it is not a dramatic comeback, but a careful reset. India is testing the waters, trying to see where it still fits in a changed landscape.

However, rebuilding trust in Kabul will not be easy. India will have to go beyond talking points about friendship and shared culture. It needs to offer something real that might consist of trade routes, investment, or diplomatic guarantees. This would show that the country is ready to be a reliable partner again.

Somehow, this visit at least shows New Delhi recognizes what is at stake. It means that sitting out of Afghanistan for too long has left India isolated in a region it once dominated. Now if this new outreach would turn into a genuine influence or not, it depends on the next steps India will take in this regard. This also depends on whether it is willing to engage with Afghanistan in real terms or not.