Taliban Seek Investments & Projects Resumption From India

Afghanistan is facing major financial & other challenges after the invasion & coup of the Taliban. Now the Taliban is seeking Indian investments & resumptions of stalled projects.

A Taliban representative told The Hindu on Sunday that India needs to invest in Afghanistan. 

Suhail Shaheen, the chief of the Taliban’s political office, claimed that a Taliban delegation had a meeting with the head of the Indian Embassy in Kabul and had extended an invitation to its teams to assist in establishing and maintaining infrastructure projects in the nation.

Also Read: Kishida visit to India: Japan to offer $42bn in investments

“Indian investment, notably in urban infrastructure, is welcome in Afghanistan. In a recent meeting with the Indian Charge d’Affaires in Kabul, the Afghan Minister of Urban Development conveyed this message, according to Mr. Shaheen.

He also reported that the issue of investment and various projects was discussed by the Taliban’s “Minister of Urban Development,” Hamdullah Nomani, and the Indian Charge d’Affaires, Bharat Kumar. 

One of the most senior Taliban figures, Mr. Nomani previously held the position of Taliban “Minister of Education” from 1996 until 2001.

When the Taliban forces overpowered the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces of President Ashraf Ghani’s government in a swift military campaign in August 2021, several Indian companies engaged in the construction and maintenance of health and electricity infrastructure projects in Afghanistan were forced to evacuate their teams. 

Due to the deteriorating security situation following the Taliban takeover, Indian businesses had abandoned projects. 

However, Mr. Shaheen stated on Sunday that these were projects that India had started during the previous regime but had abandoned. India may pick up those projects again or invest in new ones.

The relationship between the Taliban government and India has remained unclear because India does not recognise the existing order in Kabul, despite the fact that an Indian Technical Team was just dispatched to reopen the Indian Embassy.

Also, Read: Indian startups to receive Antler investments worth $100 million

However, Mr. Shaheen pledged a tranquil workplace for Indian businesses, saying, “We promise Indians that their security is our responsibility.”

Indian public and private sector organizations have invested almost $3 billion in the nation’s infrastructure during the past 20 years. Following the Taliban’s comeback last year, the investment was put in jeopardy. 

The most recent exchange between India and the Taliban took place in the context of regional discussions, and it has reignited hopes for a bigger Indian engagement in Afghanistan.