Pakistan Labels Taliban as ‘India’s Proxy,’ Issues Stark Warning
Pakistan’s Defense Minister has once again accused the Taliban administration of acting as an ‘Indian proxy’ against Islamabad and warned that if the group cannot control Pakistan’s enemies, it should at least refrain from supporting them. On Monday, Khawaja Asif told Geo News that he had also raised this message during his recent meetings with Mullah Yaqoob, acting Defense Minister of the Taliban administration.
He emphasized that “Afghanistan’s enemies of the past have also been Pakistan’s enemies,” but claimed that the Taliban’s approach has changed, turning Afghanistan under their control into a platform for actions against Pakistan. According to him, Islamabad views this situation as advancing New Delhi’s interests against Pakistan.
The Pakistani Defense Minister cautioned that if the Taliban administration does not stop supporting militants and what he described as “cross-border terrorism,” Pakistan will respond similarly to the way it has confronted India. He has previously claimed that the Taliban are facilitating India’s “war” against Pakistan.
In recent months, amid rising insecurity in parts of Pakistan, Pakistani officials have repeatedly accused the Taliban administration of sheltering and supporting the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Islamabad continues to allege that this insurgent group is organized and backed by India on Afghan soil—an accusation New Delhi has denied.
In contrast, the Taliban administration has repeatedly stated that it will not allow Afghan territory to be used against any country and considers Pakistan’s security issues an “internal matter.” Nonetheless, ongoing attacks in Pakistan and lack of transparency regarding how armed groups are managed have raised questions about the Taliban administration’s practical commitment to preventing cross-border militant activity.
