Pakistan has once again warned that it could view the Afghan Taliban as an Indian proxy if the group acts at the behest of New Delhi rather than pursuing what Islamabad describes as Afghanistan’s own national interests.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, the Taliban could be considered an Indian proxy if its actions serve Indian efforts to destabilise Pakistan. The warning reflects growing tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, as well as Pakistan’s concerns over India’s expanding engagement with Afghanistan.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused India of using its growing presence in Afghanistan to advance strategic interests against Pakistan. Pakistani officials have also alleged that militant groups operating from Afghan territory receive external support, allegations that Afghanistan and India have rejected.
The latest warning comes amid increasingly strained Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. Islamabad has raised concerns over cross-border militancy and has urged Taliban authorities to prevent Afghan territory from being used against Pakistan. At the same time, India has expanded diplomatic engagement with the Taliban authorities, adding another dimension to the regional rivalry.
Pakistan’s latest statement signals that its assessment of the Taliban’s relationship with India could increasingly influence Islamabad’s policy toward Kabul. The warning also underscores how Afghanistan remains a major arena of strategic competition between Pakistan and India.
The Taliban have not accepted Pakistan’s characterization of their relationship with India and have maintained that Afghanistan seeks independent relations with neighbouring and regional countries.