India reopens doors to Afghans, signalling cautious reset in ties with Kabul
New Delhi, Jun 2: “We have a new visa module now, in place for Afghan nationals. This came into effect on 29th April. All Afghan nationals can now apply for Indian visas in six categories—medical visa, medical attendant visa, business visa, entry visa, student visa, and UN diplomatic visa,” announced Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in New Delhi last week. “This new visa module will help strengthen India–Afghanistan people-to-people ties further,” he added, emphasizing that Afghan nationals currently in India under the older regime would have to convert their documentation at regional offices.
The announcement marks a significant step forward in what Indian officials are quietly describing as a calibrated, cautious re-engagement with Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. Nearly four years since the fall of the Ashraf Ghani government and the abrupt closure of the Indian embassy in Kabul, New Delhi appears to be inching towards restoring institutional links with the war-torn country.
The resumption of a structured visa regime signals both practical necessity and diplomatic intent. The previous “e-Emergency X-Miscellaneous Visa,” introduced in August 2021 as a humanitarian measure for stranded Afghan citizens—particularly Hindus and Sikhs—has now been phased out. In its place, a formalised visa framework opens new doors for Afghans seeking to travel for health, education, or business, and reflects a quiet but strategic recalibration of Indian foreign policy towards the Taliban-ruled state.
Trade and Transit: Opportunities Amid Regional Shifts
The decision comes at a time of deteriorating relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan; a development that regional observers believe India is poised to tactically leverage. With Islamabad’s expulsion of over half a million Afghan refugees and alleged cross-border strikes against Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) camps within Afghan territory, trust between the two neighbours has plummeted. In this vacuum, India sees both a geopolitical opportunity and a moral imperative.
“The resumption of visa issuance by India for Afghans, especially Afghan businessmen, could be a constructive step,” said Abdul Latif Nazari, Afghanistan’s deputy minister of economy, speaking to Tolo News. “This will be effective in expanding political, economic, and trade relations.” The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment also welcomed the move, with acting deputy Mir Zaman Popal stating that the measure would “support future economic cooperation between Afghanistan and India.” For New Delhi, the deepening rift between Kabul and Islamabad presents a rare window to strengthen its foothold in Afghanistan’s economy through direct trade and humanitarian engagement, bypassing the traditional chokepoints in Pakistan. With the operationalisation of the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Iran’s Chabahar Port, a facility India has helped develop, New Delhi can now potentially expand its trade routes into Afghanistan and Central Asia, circumventing Pakistani territory altogether.
A Cautious Balancing Act
Yet Indian officials remain wary of moving too quickly. Afghanistan’s domestic situation remains fragile, and the Taliban’s internal politics unpredictable. While External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s recent phone call with “acting Foreign Minister” Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi suggests growing diplomatic comfort, the MEA remains tight-lipped about any formal recognition or reopening of the Indian embassy in Kabul. A day after their May 15 phone call, Indian officials hinted at further "bold moves" to engage with the Taliban and deepen assistance, especially for Afghan refugees forcefully repatriated by Pakistan.
