INDIA AND AFGHANISTAN: A RELATIONSHIP ROOTED IN PEOPLE AND POSSIBILITY

India and Afghanistan share a relationship that predates modern political boundaries, shaped by centuries of cultural exchange, trade and intellectual movement across South and Central Asia. Long before contemporary nation states emerged, merchants, scholars, pilgrims and artisans travelled through mountain passes and river valleys linking the Indian subcontinent with Afghanistan. These interactions facilitated the spread of ideas, religious traditions, craftsmanship and commercial practices, creating a shared civilizational space. This historical depth explains why bilateral ties have often remained resilient despite political disruptions and regional instability.

Formal diplomatic relations between India and Afghanistan were established in 1950 with the signing of the Indo Afghan Treaty of Friendship. From the outset, India supported Afghanistan’s sovereignty and independent foreign policy, maintaining cordial relations across successive political regimes. This steady engagement gained renewed significance after 2001, when Afghanistan entered a phase of reconstruction. India emerged as one of Afghanistan’s most consistent development partners, consciously adopting a civilian focused approach aimed at long term stability rather than short term influence.

Following 2001, India committed over USD 3 billion towards Afghanistan’s reconstruction, concentrating on infrastructure that delivered visible public benefit. The Salma Afghan India Friendship Dam in Herat improved irrigation and electricity supply in western Afghanistan. The Zaranj Delaram Highway enhanced internal connectivity and linked Afghanistan to regional trade routes. The construction of the Afghan Parliament building in Kabul symbolised institutional capacity building and respect for democratic aspirations. Together, these projects reflected an emphasis on sustainability, governance and economic self-reliance.

Education and cultural exchange formed the most durable pillar of India Afghanistan relations. Between 2001 and 2021, more than 16000 Afghan students pursued higher education in India under scholarship programmes administered by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the Ministry of External Affairs. Indian universities such as Jamia Millia Islamia, Aligarh Muslim University, Jawaharlal Nehru University and several technical institutes hosted Afghan students across disciplines including medicine, engineering, management and social sciences. These academic experiences helped build professional skills while fostering familiarity with Indian society and institutions.

Beyond formal education, cultural engagement also played an important role. Indian films, television programmes, music and literature found audiences in Afghan cities, while Afghan art, cuisine and handicrafts were welcomed in Indian cultural spaces. Such exchanges created everyday connections that complemented official diplomacy and reinforced mutual goodwill. Importantly, many Afghan alumni of Indian institutions later contributed to public administration, healthcare and education within Afghanistan, strengthening people to people linkages over time.

Economic engagement expanded steadily during this period. Prior to the political transition in Kabul in August 2021, bilateral trade between India and Afghanistan stood at approximately USD 1.5 billion annually. Afghanistan exported dry fruits, carpets, saffron and semi-precious stones to India, while India supplied pharmaceuticals, tea, sugar and construction material. Trade relied heavily on traditional commercial networks, reflecting complementary economic strengths rather than dependency or aid driven exchange.

Connectivity initiatives formed an important enabling element of this economic relationship. India supported alternative trade access for Afghanistan through regional connectivity projects, including linkages associated with Iran’s Chabahar Port. These efforts aimed to integrate Afghanistan with wider regional markets and reduce the constraints imposed by geography. Although political developments have slowed implementation, the underlying rationale of regional economic integration continues to inform long term planning.

The developments in Afghanistan in 2021 marked a significant turning point in bilateral engagement. India recalibrated its approach while maintaining a clear focus on humanitarian responsibility. Between 2021 and 2023, India supplied over 50000 metric tones of wheat, along with essential medicines and disaster relief material, to address food insecurity and public health needs. In June 2022, India reopened a technical mission in Kabul to coordinate humanitarian assistance through United Nations agencies and international partners, ensuring aid delivery without political conditionality.

This calibrated engagement underscored a consistent principle in India’s regional diplomacy assistance to people should remain insulated from political uncertainty. By prioritising basic human needs, India sought to preserve long standing goodwill and contribute to social stability during a period of economic stress and institutional fragility within Afghanistan.

In conclusion, India Afghanistan relations have been characterised by continuity, restraint and a people centric outlook. Rooted in historical exchange, strengthened through education and trade and sustained through humanitarian support, the relationship reflects a broader belief that durable regional stability is built through institutions, human capital and mutual respect. While circumstances continue to evolve, these foundations provide a resilient framework for future engagement anchored in shared interests and human dignity. This approach remains relevant for regional cooperation amid shifting geopolitical and economic realities.