Regional Power Shift Comes As A Worry

India May Be Facing Extended Neighbourhood That Gives Pak A Bigger Arena

- Indrani Bagchi

New Delhi: Will China be the first P5 country to recognise the Taliban emirate of Afghanistan? Beijing’s statement on Monday — that it “welcomed” the opportunity to deepen ties with Afghanistan after the Taliban took power on Sunday — points to it.

This could have major implications for regional security and great power competition. By the end of Monday, Russia asserted that it would engage comprehensively with the Taliban as well, even asserting it in the United Nations Security Council. Pakistan has never left the Taliban’s side. Turkey is the new power to insert itself into Afghanistan — not only is it securing Kabul airport, but the ‘deal’ struck with the Taliban to facilitate it coming to power was also reportedly done in Turkey.

A new alliance may be coming together with a Taliban-led Afghanistan at the core, including China, Russia, Turkey, with Qatar and possibly Iran playing supporting roles. This would be a source of growing concern to India, which is playing much closer to the US and the West. Along with Japan and Australia, they see China as their main strategic challenge.