Russia seeks to assure India of partnership as Moscow, Beijing align positions on Afghanistan

With Moscow and Beijing set to wield more regional influence after the Taliban’s rise, Russia and India have set up a joint team to assess the situation as a placatory measure

India is also concerned about a recent Russia-China military exercise in the context of the ongoing border dispute with the latter

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Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting in 2019. Photo: EPA

Published: 11:00pm, 26 Aug 2021Updated: 11:43pm, 26 Aug 2021

As world leaders debate how or whether to engage with the Taliban leadership in Afghanistan, Russia has sought to assure its long-time partner India that New Delhi’s views matter.

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the two agreeing to set up a joint team of foreign affairs and national security officials to assess the situation in Afghanistan.

According to sources with knowledge of the conversation, there are indications Russia is not in a hurry to recognise the Taliban, but Moscow will share its assessment of the situation with New Delhi once it has been made.

The Taliban’s seizure of Kabul has opened a path for Russia and China to wield greater influence in South and Central Asia. Both countries, along with Qatar – which is on good terms with the Taliban political leadership – have kept their embassies in the Afghan capital open, with the United States and its allies, as well as India, scrambling to evacuate staff.

New Delhi has little influence with the Taliban, given its deep-seated suspicion of the Islamist group – which it blames for sheltering militants that carried out attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir, with arch-rival Pakistan’s encouragement.

Russia earlier this month convened an “extended troika” meeting in Doha with the US, China and Pakistan to discuss the future of Afghanistan, but India was left out.

“Right now, everyone is thrashing around to see how they can protect their interests,” said P.S. Raghavan, the former chairman of India’s National Security Advisory Board.

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