The Indian government is considering increasing trade with Afghanistan through development projects in the country, particularly at the Iranian Chabahar port complex, which was developed by India to bypass Pakistani ports. This move aims to strengthen economic relations between the two countries, as stated by the Afghan Foreign Ministry. The Taliban administration in Afghanistan has expressed interest in strengthening ties with India, a country with significant economic potential. However, Pakistan may view this development with concern due to its strained relations with both India and Afghanistan.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/940358-taliban-see-india-as-important-economic-partnerPakistan's security experts have recommended that the country engage with the Taliban leadership in Kandahar to address concerns about the presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts in Afghanistan. The experts believe that talking directly to the Taliban supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, can help resolve issues such as cross-border terrorism and trade. They argue that this channel of communication is crucial for resolving outstanding issues between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The experts also noted that the TTP has changed its operational strategy by reducing attacks on civilians and increasing attacks on security forces. They suggested that Pakistan's counter-terrorism policy needs to be holistic, involving local communities in addition to kinetic operations. Some experts argued that there was no harm in restarting the dialogue process with the TTP. However, not all experts agreed on this approach. The President of the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), Muhammad Amir Rana, opposed the idea of restarting talks with the TTP, arguing that it would give legitimacy to militancy and provide fuel to it. He emphasized that the TTP is an existential threat to Pakistan and there should be zero tolerance for the group. The experts also discussed other issues such as the negative role of social media in intensifying conflict in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the need for Pakistan to work with China to evolve projects that benefit local communities. They highlighted the importance of a civilian-led approach to resolving conflicts in Pakistan. Overall, the experts emphasized the need for a comprehensive and holistic approach to addressing security challenges in Pakistan, involving both military and civilian efforts, as well as engagement with regional stakeholders.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40341795/country-should-engage-with-kandahar-based-taliban-leadership-suggest-expertsTensions are rising between Tajikistan and the Taliban, with both sides accusing each other of carrying out attacks in Afghanistan. The situation has prompted Russia and Pakistan to urge the two parties to cool off their rhetoric, as they are concerned about conflict on the border. Meanwhile, France is seeking to strengthen its ties with Tajikistan, which it sees as a key partner in addressing regional security concerns related to Afghanistan. In other developments, China's military is increasing its combat readiness at bases in Central Asia, while India and Pakistan are navigating their complex relationship amidst a thaw in relations between the two countries. The US may also be considering intervening to secure the release of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan from detention.
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/tajikistan-and-the-russian-scheme-to-pay-taliban-to-target-americans-in-afghanistan/India has agreed to provide further material support to Afghanistan's health sector and refugee rehabilitation after a meeting between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai. This decision follows several shipments of wheat, medicines, Covid vaccines, and winter clothing that India has already dispatched to the country. Despite not recognizing the Taliban government, which seized power in 2021, India is considering engaging with them on development-related projects in the near future as part of its humanitarian assistance programme.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1270231-india-to-consider-engaging-in-development-projects-in-afghanistanIndia's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held landmark talks with senior Taliban officials, including Defense Minister Mullah Yaqoob Muttaqi, in Dubai on Wednesday. The discussions focused on providing humanitarian aid, improving healthcare, rehabilitating refugees, and enhancing regional security through the Chabahar Port. This marked India's first formal engagement with the Taliban since their takeover of Kabul in 2021. Both sides explored opportunities for bilateral cooperation, including a potential partnership in sports, particularly cricket, which is popular among Afghanistan's youth. The Ministry of External Affairs described the talks as a significant step towards addressing Afghanistan's humanitarian and developmental challenges.
The US has transferred 11 detainees from Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba to other countries, ending a nearly two-decade-long period where they had been held without charge. The transfers were carried out by the Biden administration, which has made efforts to close the detention center since taking office. The facility, known as Camp X-Ray, was initially used to hold al-Qaida and Taliban militants captured after the 9/11 attacks.
https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-military/2025/01/07/us-moves-11-guantanamo-detainees-after-two-plus-decades-without-charge/The Biden administration is working with allies to secure the release of Americans held hostage or unjustly detained abroad, including Mahmood, Ryan, and George Glezmann, who are being held in Afghanistan. The US has engaged with the Taliban in Doha to discuss their detention and human rights issues, and considers bringing them home a top priority.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/u-s-offered-to-swap-guantanamo-prisoner-to-free-detained-americans-in-afghanistan-1.7167825India has been providing humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, including shipments of wheat, medicines, COVID vaccines, and winter clothing. The country's support is focused on the health sector and refugee rehabilitation, as per a request from the Afghan side. However, India does not recognize the Taliban government that took power in 2021 and has closed its embassy in Kabul. This aid effort comes amidst other challenges, including a recent earthquake in Tibet where victims are at risk of dying from hypothermia due to being trapped under debris.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1270045-india-hints-at-engaging-in-uplift-projects-in-afghanistanThe United States froze billions of dollars of central bank assets after the Taliban regained power in August 2021, but humanitarian aid to Afghanistan has continued under the supervision of the United Nations' UNAMA mission. The UNAMA mission refutes allegations that it is diverting funds to the Taliban, instead transporting cash into the country for use by vetted partners and U.N. agencies to assist millions of Afghans in need. This aid is deposited in designated U.N. accounts at a private bank before being distributed directly to approved entities, not the Central Bank of Afghanistan or the Taliban authorities.
https://www.voanews.com/a/taliban-refute-trump-s-claims-on-us-financial-aid-to-afghanistan/7929790.html