Surprising to See Afghan Taliban Now Siding with India: Khawaja Asif

Islamabad: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has expressed disappointment over the Afghan Taliban’s growing closeness with India, calling it a surprising and unfortunate turn of events.

Speaking to the media, Asif said Pakistan had stood by the Afghan Taliban for many years and even faced serious international criticism for doing so. “We tolerated global pressure and accusations just to support them. And now, they are choosing to side with India,” he remarked.

He explained that Pakistan’s involvement in two major Afghan conflicts came at a heavy price, including being unfairly branded a “terrorist state” by some countries.

The minister pointed out that the Afghan Taliban’s current tilt toward India isn’t just speculation—Indian defense analyst Praveen Swami has also confirmed this shift in public statements.

Asif added that while Pakistan was once a key supporter of the Taliban, today, only India, Israel, and the Taliban seem to share a common stance, which reflects how alliances in the region are changing in unexpected ways.

The remarks come at a time when Pakistan is closely watching regional developments, especially in light of growing tensions and shifting partnerships.