India's decision to ramp up ties with Afghanistan and host the Taliban's acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, can be seen as a strategic move.
Delhi aims to secure a seat at Kabul's geopolitical table to counter Pakistan's influence and protect regional interests.
After the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, India's investment and humanitarian legacy in Kabul were compromised, allowing Pakistan and China to gain ground.
India's efforts to reclaim its strategic space in the region are understandable.
India can host the Taliban but not its misogyny
Author's summary: India hosts Taliban for strategic reasons.