India’s humanitarian aid to Afghanistan after the August earthquake in the southeast is not an isolated gesture but part of a broader, ongoing engagement with the Afghan people.

Though New Delhi has not officially recognized the Taliban, it continues outreach to ensure essential support for citizens. Since the Taliban’s return in 2021, India has shifted from rejection to cautious diplomacy, driven by security and strategic imperatives. A stable Afghanistan denies safe havens to Pakistan-based terror proxies and provides India vital connectivity to Central Asia via the Chabahar port.

Parliamentary reports show India allocated ₹200 crore for aid in 2024–25, later adjusted to ₹100 crore in 2025–26. The External Affairs Ministry noted that initial humanitarian aid in food, medicine, and supplies has improved conditions, enabling India to now explore development cooperation projects.

Before 2021, India invested nearly USD 3 billion in Afghan dams, hospitals, and education. The Taliban has requested New Delhi’s assistance in new construction projects, though logistical challenges remain due to reliance on Pakistan’s land routes.

Despite difficulties, India’s consistent humanitarian and reconstruction efforts have built goodwill and countered rival influence in Afghanistan’s strategic landscape, long described as the “Great Game.” With Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Acting Afghan FM Amir Khan Muttaqi recently agreeing to expand cooperation, India signals it will remain engaged with Afghanistan’s future, balancing pragmatism with strategic patience.