Kabul – Afghanistan, once considered one of the most volatile regions in the world, has recently seen a rise in tourism as the country experiences relative calm under the Taliban administration. Among the influx of regional visitors, a growing number of travellers from India have been sharing their experiences online, some positively, others controversially.

Several Indian social media users have recently posted videos mocking historical Muslim figures such as Sultan Mehmud Ghaznavi, even as Indian travellers continue to receive encouragement to visit Afghanistan.

One such video, now widely circulated online, shows an Afghan checkpoint official allowing an Indian biker to pass without inspecting his documents after learning of his nationality. The footage has raised serious questions about the Afghan Taliban’s impartiality in regional dealings, particularly in light of their repeated claims of fair governance and administrative discipline.

Contrasting Treatment of Afghan Returnees from Pakistan

While Indian visitors appear to receive lenient treatment, Afghan refugees returning from Pakistan report a very different experience. Many claim that their belongings are often confiscated or scrutinised by Taliban officials upon re-entry, allegedly under the pretext that such possessions “belong to Pakistan.”

For an administration striving for legitimacy and international recognition, such inconsistencies have drawn criticism for reflecting selective governance. Analysts argue that incidents of preferential or biased behaviour undermine Kabul’s efforts to project an image of institutional discipline and neutrality.

Pakistan’s Support and Growing Frustration

Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan’s modern history remains pivotal. From sheltering over four million Afghan refugees to facilitating peace negotiations and urging the international community to engage with Kabul’s interim government, Islamabad has consistently advocated for Afghanistan’s stability.

However, recent developments have caused unease in Islamabad. Despite Pakistan’s ongoing humanitarian and diplomatic efforts, the Taliban administration has appeared indifferent, and at times, even antagonistic, to Pakistan’s concerns, particularly over cross-border militancy.

Pakistan has repeatedly presented evidence that the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) continues to operate from Afghan territory, planning and executing attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul has denied these allegations, but Pakistani officials maintain that Indian intelligence networks exploit Afghan soil to destabilise Pakistan, a pattern Islamabad views as part of a growing Indian-Afghan alignment.

A Shift Toward India?

The viral video has further fuelled speculation about Kabul’s evolving diplomatic posture. India, which shut down its embassy in Kabul after the Taliban takeover in 2021, has since resumed limited engagement. While New Delhi frames its outreach as humanitarian and developmental, Pakistani analysts regard it as a strategic attempt to regain influence in Afghanistan, traditionally a key area of Pakistan’s diplomatic and security interests.

The perceived leniency shown towards Indian travellers, contrasted with the harsh treatment of Afghan returnees and Islamabad’s repeated security concerns, has deepened mistrust between the two neighbours.

A Test of Neutrality and Statecraft

Political observers warn that even symbolic displays of bias can carry long-term diplomatic costs. “Afghanistan’s credibility depends on balanced diplomacy and responsible governance,” said a regional affairs analyst in Islamabad. “Selective behaviour not only damages Kabul’s image but also alienates those who have historically supported its people.”

As Afghanistan navigates an increasingly complex regional environment, the Taliban government’s impartiality is being tested. Whether Kabul chooses to uphold diplomatic balance and institutional integrity, or allows symbolic gestures to shape its foreign relations, will determine how the region perceives its credibility in the months ahead.