New Delhi: As India and Taliban-ruled Afghanistan further intensify their pragmatic engagement focused on trade, humanitarian aid and regional security, Taliban will celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Victory Day in the Afghanistan embassy in Delhi Monday. Victory Day is observed annually by Taliban on Aug 15 to commemorate the group’s return to Kabul in 2021, following the withdrawal of US-led Nato forces.The invitation for the event has been extended by Afghanistan charge d’affaires Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor and carries the emblem of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Sources said the event is not just endorsed by the Indian side but will also see participation by senior Indian officials.India doesn’t officially recognise the Islamic Emirate, maintaining that its position on the issue is in consonance with the international community, although it has allowed Taliban to take control of the Afghan embassy. However, its position is also marked by pragmatic engagement with Taliban, leveraging its historic goodwill and development presence to protect its regional interests.
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The efforts have been further aided by the dramatic shift in Taliban’s ties with Pakistan.India and Afghanistan continue to back each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, with India standing by Kabul in the latter’s border conflict with Pakistan. Much to Pakistan’s chagrin, Taliban also backed India’s sovereignty over J&K in a joint statement with India last year by endorsing a mention of the UT as located in India, while condemning the Pahalgam attack. While restoring its own embassy in Kabul last year, India had agreed to the appointment of Taliban diplomats.The development followed a landmark visit by Afghanistan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to India that further cemented the relationship.
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