New Delhi, Dec. 17 -- Post-August 2021, unlike China, Russia, Iran, and the Central Asian Republics, India evacuated all its diplomats from Afghanistan and closed its embassy and consulates across the country. This overnight change was perceived as India's loss in Afghanistan vis-a-vis its arch geopolitical rival Pakistan. During this period, the Indian government under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership had no clear policy toward the Taliban. At the same time, Indian policymakers were divided into two groups regarding engagement with the ruling Taliban.

The first group, aligned with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India's foreign minister, favored political engagement with the Taliban. The second group, aligned with the late General B...