After the Taliban takeover in 2021, the new rulers wished to adopt a foreign policy of neutrality and promote Afghanistan as a hub of interconnectivity for trade with neighbouring states.

The new regime’s aspirations for cross-border railways, pipelines and electricity corridors met a serious blow due to apprehensions among its neighbours regarding any diplomatic venture with the Taliban regime. Due to their reputation, the Afghan Taliban face major challenges in securing a role for Afghanistan in the region’s security and economic future as well.

In their first months after seizing power, not a single foreign government or multilateral organisation acknowledged the Taliban-controlled government without demanding concessions on women’s rights and other matters. This enraged the Taliban’s conservative elements, dividing them into two factions: one, centred in the Kabul-based government, sought engagement with the West; the other, hardliner Kandhari group led by Hibatullah Akhundzada, rejected this idea. This camp ensured its followers that the Taliban regime would not concede to any pressure of the West.

Although regional actors also criticized the Taliban’s discrimination against women, they opted to engage with Kabul due to varied considerations – this was an issue-based engagement rather than emulating the West’s policy of total alienation. Having re-established a diplomatic presence in Kabul, many regional countries........

© The News International