Kabul: As India marked its Independence Day on August 15, the Taliban in Afghanistan celebrated their own Independence Day with a grand military parade on August 14, 2024, showcasing their control and stability after three years in power. The parade, featuring a display of military hardware including India’s Mi-24 attack helicopter, highlighted the Taliban’s growing confidence in the region, even as tensions with neighboring Pakistan escalate.
The celebration, held in Kabul, marks three years since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan after the U.S. withdrawal. Pakistani strategic analyst Qamar Cheema emphasized the Taliban’s political consolidation, stating, “The Taliban has solidified their rule and face no significant internal challenges. Politically, they are stronger than ever, with no rival groups threatening their stability, except for Islamic State Khorasan, which is a common concern for both the U.S. and Pakistan.”
Cheema highlighted the paradox of Pakistan’s deteriorating relations with the Taliban, despite Islamabad’s decades-long support for the group. “Pakistan invested heavily in Afghanistan over 50 years, helping shape the Taliban with backing from Saudi Arabia and the U.S. But now, the Taliban are firmly in control and no longer listen to Pakistan’s demands, particularly regarding the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attacks,” he said.
He noted that while Afghanistan now operates its embassies globally and engages in international business, Pakistan remains sidelined in its relations with the Taliban. The once-close allies are now at odds, with Cheema describing Pakistan’s situation as “stuck” after its long-term strategy backfired. “Pakistan hoped the Afghan-Taliban would align with its interests, but the Taliban are now a powerful, independent entity that no longer counts Pakistan among its key partners,” he added.
Cheema also pointed out the irony of India and the Taliban sharing the same Independence Day, drawing attention to India’s $3 billion investment in Afghanistan. He observed that India, along with China and Russia, focuses primarily on securing national interests in Afghanistan without interfering in domestic issues such as women’s education. India’s priority, according to Cheema, lies in protecting the Hindu minority in Afghanistan, an issue raised in talks between New Delhi and the Taliban.
The parade and the shifting dynamics in the region underscore the complexities in the Taliban’s relationship with its neighbors, especially Pakistan, while highlighting the group’s growing confidence and self-reliance in the international arena.
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