News analysis

India back to drawing board on Afghan policy as it pulls out diplomatic staff

Indian people airlifted from Kabul, after Taleban took over the government, at Jamnagar airbase in Gujarat, India, on Aug 17, 2021. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

NEW DELHI - The swift takeover of Afghanistan by the Taleban has disadvantaged India, reversing two decades of investment and diplomacy.

New Delhi, which had put its weight behind former Afghan president Ashraf Ghani and was fully invested in the Afghan government, will now have to go back to the drawing board on its engagement with Afghanistan, said analysts.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.