India has claimed to have lost its leverage and influence in Taliban-run Afghanistan. India will have to rely on other countries in the region to give positive influence to the new regime in Kabul. India hosted a regional security conference in Afghanistan recently, where the Taliban rule has caused issues with India’s national interests. The Taliban rule also sparks fear of terrorism in New Delhi. China, Russia, Iran, as well as other major actors were involved in the conference, with some countries having major influence in Afghanistan, and others with interests that have been affected since the new leadership.
The possibility of India and Afghanistan losing connections is detrimental to Afghanistan. India has helped to build public buildings in Afghanistan such as hospitals, highways, dams, and a parliament building. India has spent millions on those investments in Afghanistan, in exchange for them being able to be involved there and deal with the personal interest there. Another issue is the fear of terrorism from the Taliban in places like New Delhi and Mumbai. Terrorist attacks from the Taliban could lead to retaliation from India and neighboring countries and cause a war between these nations. Another issue is that Russia and Iran have been bettering relations with Afghanistan, especially Iran. Iran has supplied Taliban leaders and fighters with supplies, and safe havens. If countries like this are allied, it could mean wars between aliiances and constant fighting in the Middle East and throughout Central Asia.
This relates to realism in that the Taliban Government is ruling militarily and through threats through there armed forces, while India is of a liberalist country, trying to prosper through national interest and a healthy economy. India also wants good trade relations with Afghanistan. Afghanistan has become a military power, while India is more of an economic power and focused on good relations with foreign neighbors.