26/08/2026
India-Pakistan-Afghanistan: Shifting Dynamics Since the Taliban's Return
The return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan in August 2021 was widely seen as a strategic victory for Pakistan given its historical ties and the long-viewed ISI-Taliban nexus. So why is the same border now witnessing what Pakistan calls an "open war"?
This article examines the evolving triangular dynamic between New Delhi, Islamabad, and Kabul. From Afghanistan's uncompromising stance on the Durand Line and its refusal to restrain the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to the recent border confrontations and the recalibration of India's regional strategy — it unpacks how tactical alliances are giving way to strategic divergence in South Asia.
Tap the link in the comments to read the full article by Rudraksh Bansal.