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OPINION FEBRUARY 28, 2025 | The Indian Eye 11

to be an active member of the inter-
national community.”
Meanwhile, the Japanese gov-
ernment said that the delegation’s
meetings with Toshihide Ando, the
Foreign Ministry’s representative
for Afghanistan and Yoshimasa Ha-
yashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary of the
Japanese Foreign Ministry, were part
of the agenda. Hayashi noted that
although the visit is organized by a
private group, it is “meaningful” as it
supports the Japanese government’s
efforts to push for changes within the
Taliban regime, particularly concern-
ing human rights matters. Overall,
Japan projected the visit as part of
Japan’s efforts to help Afghanistan
build a more inclusive political sys-
tem and protect human rights.
Like other countries, Japan
also has not formally recognized
the Taliban as Afghanistan’s official
government. Japan had temporar-
ily relocated its diplomatic mission
in Afghanistan to the Qatari capital
Doha in the immediate aftermath of In February 2024, Japan contributed $ 13.5 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) to address the pressing issue of food insecurity in
the Taliban takeover on 15 August Afghanistan (File photo)
2021. However, in the course of time,
its engagement with the Taliban re- 2024. Under the Trump administra- cluding lithium and rare earth ele- some might argue that continued
gime increased, subsequently leading tion, the speculation is that there ments, are of interest to many global isolation of the Taliban could ex-
to the resumption of the operation of could be more conditionalities on the economies, and the Taliban may seek acerbate Afghanistan’s instability,
its diplomatic mission in Kabul. supply of aid, as a result, it is quite Japan’s technical expertise in re- leading to worsening humanitarian
Since reclaiming control of Af- likely that the regime would like to source extraction and development conditions and an increased risk of
ghanistan in 2021 following the with- ensure funding from different sourc- projects. Finally, engaging in diplo- regional conflict. They advocate for
drawal of US and NATO forces, the es. Additionally, the country faces a matic talks with a major global player selective engagement that prioritiz-
Taliban has struggled to gain formal dire economic crisis, with millions like Japan offers the Taliban an op- es humanitarian needs while holding
international recognition. Although struggling to access food, healthcare portunity to bolster its international the Taliban accountable for gover-
some countries, including China, and basic services. standing, demonstrate its capacity for nance and rights issues.
Russia and regional neighbors like Japan, a key humanitarian do- international diplomacy, and thereby To conclude, it can be said that
Pakistan and Iran, have engaged with nor to Afghanistan, has maintained make a case for formal recognition. the Taliban’s diplomatic visit to Ja-
the group on various levels, most a careful but engaged approach to- How Can the Visit be Viewed? pan in February 2025 marks a signifi-
Western nations remain hesitant due wards the Taliban ruled Afghanistan. Japan’s recent engagement cant moment in Afghanistan’s evolv-
to concerns over human rights, par- In February 2024, Japan contribut- can be viewed from the prism of a ing international relations under
ticularly regarding women’s rights ed $ 13.5 million to the World Food pragmatic step towards addressing the new regime, in particular. While
and freedoms. Programme (WFP) to address the Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis, the trip underscores the group’s de-
What Could be Taliban’s pressing issue of food insecurity in while some may also point out that sire for global engagement, it also
Objective? Afghanistan. such meetings could lend legitimacy raises complex questions about po-
Earlier in 2023, Japan’s Interna- to a regime accused of severe hu- litical legitimacy, human rights and
lthough the Taliban regime tional Cooperation Agency (JICA) man rights violations within Afghan- international diplomacy. For Japan,
has not issued any official signed a grant agreement, amount- istan. The National Resistance Front navigating its relationship with the
Astatement about the objective ing to approximately 9.5 million (NRF), which is one of the prominent Taliban presents both opportunities
behind their Japan outreach, there USD, with the Food and Agriculture anti-Taliban resistance forces, though and challenges. As it seeks to bal-
are multiple factors that may have Organization (FAO) for assistance it faces continued bleak prospect in ance humanitarian imperatives with
prompted the Taliban’s maiden trip in Afghanistan’s agricultural sector. absence of international support, geopolitical considerations, Tokyo’s
to Japan. The foremost objective is Japan’s careful strategy of channel- has criticized the visit of a high-lev- approach may serve as a model for
securing economic and humanitarian ing assistance through international el Taliban delegation to Japan and other nations weighing engagement
aid. Over half of Afghanistan’s esti- agencies, rather than offering direct their meetings with Foreign Ministry with Afghanistan’s ruling authorities.
mated 40 million population, nearly government aid, is aligned with the officials. Abdullah Khanjani, head of Dr. Anwesha Ghosh,
23 million people, is projected to re- approach of other donor countries the political bureau of the NRF, said is a Research Fellow at Indian Council
quire humanitarian assistance in 2025. like India, in order to ensure that aid Tokyo should not “damage its credi- of World Affairs (ICWA).
Yet, the country has experienced is delivered to the needy in an inclu- bility and influence” by counting on
a significant drop in humanitarian sive and wide-spread manner. the Taliban regime. The views expressed are personal.
aid in the course of the past couple Apart from that, the Taliban Critics may also argue that any This article first appeared
of years. The US under the Biden would be keen on fostering eco- diplomatic talks should be condi- in the web articles section of the website
Administration remained the biggest nomic partnerships, particularly in tioned on concrete commitments to (www.icwa.in) of Indian Council of
aid donor providing $3.63 billion be- infrastructure, trade and investment. improving human rights conditions World Affairs, New Delhi, on February
tween October 2021 and December Afghanistan’s mineral resources, in- in Afghanistan. On the other hand, 26, 2025

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