Bloomberg has reported that India, in response to China’s growing influence in Afghanistan, is cautiously considering accepting a Taliban representative as the ambassador to the Afghanistan Embassy in New Delhi.

This move by India comes as part of a competitive effort to counter China’s influence in the region, and India is currently exploring various avenues to re-establish its relationship with the Taliban. Diplomatic sources have informed the media that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs is consulting and negotiating on the possibility of accepting Taliban diplomats at the Afghanistan Embassy in India.

“India’s government is expected to accept a top Taliban representative to the country soon, the latest step from New Delhi to improve ties with Kabul and counter China’s growing influence in Afghanistan,” the report stated.

According to the report, Najib Shaheen, the son of Sohail Shaheen, the Taliban’s ambassador in Qatar, has been introduced as a potential candidate for this post.

According to the information, the Taliban plans to send a small delegation to New Delhi as a first step to assess the embassy’s situation. Najib Shaheen and Shaukat Dawlatzai, another prominent figure from the Taliban, have been named as the main candidates for the position of Taliban’s ambassador to India.

Before 2021, India was involved in over 500 development projects in Afghanistan. However, after the Taliban took control, India severed ties with the group and closed its embassy in Kabul. In recent months, while political interactions between the Taliban and India have begun, India has continued to reduce its humanitarian aid and has halted visas for Afghanistan’s patients and students.

Following the collapse of the previous Afghanistan government, former Ambassador Farid Mamundzai resigned due to pressures from the Taliban and direct contacts between the Indian government and the Taliban. Currently, Syed Mohammad Ibrahimkhil, the Afghanistan Consul General in Hyderabad, has taken over the responsibility of the embassy, with the approval of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

India’s cautious steps toward engaging with the Taliban reflect its strategic considerations in balancing regional influence, particularly in light of China’s growing presence in Afghanistan. As India navigates this delicate diplomatic situation, the future of Afghanistan-India relations and the Taliban’s representation in India remain pivotal in shaping the regional dynamics.

The White House deputy press secretary stated that Afghan women face severe oppression following the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Anna Kelly, deputy press secretary for the White House, has stated that Afghan women are facing severe oppression due to the “disastrous” withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan during Joe Biden’s presidency, leading to the imposition of medieval Taliban policies.

Kelly discussed the impact of the suspension of U.S. foreign aid on the education of Afghan women in an interview with The Washington Post. She stated that the chaotic withdrawal allowed the Taliban to seize control of the country and impose extreme Sharia laws on its citizens.

According to The Washington Post, many educational programs for Afghan women, ranging from online courses to scholarships for studying abroad, have been suspended following the halt of U.S. foreign aid. These programs were often the last hope for thousands of Afghan women and girls who were banned from attending schools and universities after the Taliban regained power.

The suspension of U.S. aid has left these women with little opportunity to pursue their education. Between 2005 and 2019, the U.S. invested approximately $167 million in the American University of Afghanistan. This university, which has now moved to Doha, Qatar, was one of the largest providers of online education for Afghan women.

However, the university announced on its website that its Spring 2025 semester has been suspended, affecting about 700 students. Afghan students hoping to study abroad are also now facing uncertain circumstances. The Asian University for Women in Bangladesh, which had become a lifeline for many Afghan women, has delayed the admission of 330 new students due to the suspension of U.S. aid.

International organizations and human rights groups have expressed deep concern about the future of Afghanistan women’s education. A UN official warned that the Trump administration’s decision to cut off foreign aid could worsen the situation for Afghanistan’s women and girls, effectively denying them access to education.

Donald Trump issued an order to suspend all U.S. foreign aid on his first day as president. This decision has had a wide-reaching impact on humanitarian and educational programs across the globe, with Afghanistan being one of the hardest-hit countries.

The suspension of U.S. foreign aid has not only crippled educational opportunities for Afghanistan’s women but also worsened the broader economic crisis in the country. With the future of Afghanistan women’s education hanging in the balance, there is a growing call for international efforts to reinstate support and safeguard the rights of women and girls in the country.

Dina Titus, Representative of Nevada, and Gregory Meeks, Democratic Member of Congress from New York, have criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to close the Afghan Refugee Resettlement and Relocation Office in the United States, calling it “shameful.”

On Wednesday, February 19, both Democratic representatives responded to reports about the closure of the Afghan refugee resettlement office. Titus, in a tweet, said, “Trump is turning his back on those who risked everything to stand with the U.S., and that is shameful.”

Titus further mentioned that the office had worked to resettle many Afghans who faced security threats and the “Taliban’s danger.” She emphasized the vital role the office played in helping these individuals find safety.

Gregory Meeks, the Democratic Congressman from New York, also stressed that “it is crucial for America’s credibility to remain faithful to our commitment to the Afghans who fought alongside us.”

Recently, Reuters reported, citing sources, that officials at the Afghan relocation office had been warned to prepare for its closure in April 2025. If this happens, at least 200,000 eligible Afghan refugees will be barred from relocating to the U.S.

Meanwhile, Shawn VanDiver, President and Founder of the Afghan Evacuation Support Group “Afghan Evac,” stated that the U.S. State Department is considering plans for the permanent closure of the Afghan resettlement office. However, no final decision has been made yet regarding its closure.

VanDiver referred to the U.S. decision as “a national disgrace” and “a betrayal of Afghan allies,” insisting that the U.S. must honor its commitment to the Afghan veterans who fought for them.

This decision has sparked widespread criticism among U.S. lawmakers and refugee advocates. The closure of the Afghan resettlement office could have severe consequences for thousands of vulnerable refugees, undermining the promises made by the U.S. to its Afghan allies.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has announced that Afghanistan is one of the countries with the highest levels of contamination from landmines and unexploded ordnance.

On Wednesday, February 19, the ICRC wrote on its X page that it has launched various support programs to raise public awareness about the dangers of mines and unexploded munitions.

The Red Cross Committee added that in 2024, it has informed 243,000 people in five regions of Afghanistan about the dangers of mines and explosive materials.

Previously, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Afghanistan announced that 55 civilians are killed or injured every month in Afghanistan due to explosions from explosive materials.

Meanwhile,, the demining organization “Halo Trust” reported that contamination from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan has reached over 65 square kilometers.

The organization also emphasized that by the end of 2022, this figure was around 53 square kilometers, and to date, contamination has been identified in 26 provinces of Afghanistan.

These alarming figures highlight the ongoing challenges Afghanistan faces due to war-related remnants, posing a serious threat to public safety and hindering recovery efforts. Continued efforts in awareness and demining are crucial for reducing the risk and ensuring safer environments for civilians.