Indian and Pakistani special envoys held talks with Taliban representatives on the sidelines of a peace conference in Oslo in a diplomatic effort brokered by the Norwegian government.
Officials from the Taliban administration were in Norway this week for meetings with civil society and diplomats at a two-day annual conflict and peace diplomacy summit.
#Taliban representatives met Indian and Pakistani special envoys amongst a number of international diplomats this week, in an effort by the Norwegian Government to break the impasse in talks on the sidelines of a peace conference in Oslo. | @suhasinihhttps://t.co/ZCa6gI5ASZ
— The Hindu (@the_hindu) June 15, 2023
Overview
The Taliban officials’ visit to Norway took place against the backdrop of Afghanistan reeling under a severe humanitarian crisis following 20 years of war and several countries withdrawing aid.
This is the first time India and Pakistan have been invited to a discussion of this kind in a European country. Previously, the two countries have been a part of talks at the Moscow format hosted by Russia, and talks in Doha, sponsored by Qatar.
“Norway invited three civil servant-level individuals working for the Afghan de facto authorities in Kabul to this year’s Oslo Forum. They met Afghan civil society and representatives from other countries to discuss the situation in Afghanistan,” Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt told Reuters.
The Afghan officials from the foreign, defence, and interior ministries travelled to Norway. Taliban Foreign Affairs spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi also participated in the meeting.
Closed-door meetings took place with special envoys from the US, UK, Norway, Qatar, India, and Pakistan, the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative to Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, and members of Afghan civil society.
“Isolating Afghanistan now will be unfortunate, both for the Afghan people and for the international community. It could worsen the situation in Afghanistan, and it could let ... groups such as the ISKP get a stronger foothold in the country. This would also pose a security risk for Europe,” Huitfeldt said, referring to Islamic State.
The participants also discussed the Taliban’s decision to stop girls’ education and the crackdown on opium production in the country.
Meanwhile, some Afghan diaspora groups and activists protested the meeting. They accused the officials of legitimising a regime of terrorists. Afghan diplomats opposing the meeting also criticised the talks and requested that intra-Afghan talks be held instead to have an inclusive government.
On Camera: Indian Muslim Clerics Hold Direct Talks With Taliban Envoy To Iran In Afghanistan.#TNDIGITALVIDEOS #Taliban #India pic.twitter.com/WdlpluMLYK
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) June 15, 2023
India in Afghanistan
Since the Taliban administration took over in 2021 after overthrowing the US-backed Ashraf Ghani government, it has not been formally recognised by any foreign government. With the new dynamic, India has yet to carve a place for itself.
Recently, a delegation of Indian clerics met Afghan Taliban’s envoy to Iran and discussed the bilateral ties. India deployed a technical team at the Indian embassy in Kabul last year. It has been assisting the country by sending medical and food supplies.
While India has not recognised the Taliban regime officially, recent official statements have clarified that India recognises the reality. With the increasing interest of China and other players in the region, it remains to be seen how India figures a place for itself in the newfound dynamic with Afghanistan’s new regime.