India joined 25 other nations at the third UN-led conference on Afghanistan in Doha, which began on Sunday. This meeting marked a significant event as it witnessed the Taliban’s first participation in international talks. While the UN clarified that the Taliban’s presence doesn’t signify international recognition, the conference faced intense scrutiny and criticism from women’s rights activists who raised concerns about the plight of women in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime.
India’s participation was led by J.P. Singh, the Joint Secretary of the Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran (PAI) division of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Notably, Singh had visited Kabul in March this year and engaged with Taliban leaders. However, India continues to tread carefully in its dealings with the Taliban, prioritizing Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs and its own security interests.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made a productive trip to Doha during which he met with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. The discussion focused on strengthening bilateral ties across political, trade, investment, energy, technology, culture, and people-to-people interactions. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Jaishankar highlighted the emphasis on reviewing their bilateral relationship and addressing key regional challenges. He expressed appreciation for the insights shared on the Gaza situation.
Jaishankar’s visit comes months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Qatar in February 2024 and held discussions with Qatar’s Amir H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The Taliban delegation’s presence at the UN-hosted conference marked a rare international appearance for the regime. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Afghan government spokesperson and head of the five-member Taliban delegation, emphasized their commitment to positive engagement, viewing the Doha meeting as an opportunity for constructive dialogue. The delegation highlighted the need to address sanctions imposed on officials and the banking sector, along with broader challenges facing the Afghan economy.
