The Taliban are preparing for the inauguration ceremony of the new government in Kabul. White Taliban banners bearing the ‘Shahada’ (Islamic oath - ‘La illaha illallah Muhammad rasulullah’), spread across the length and breadth of the land, bear witness to the strength with which the Taliban have returned to Kabul.

For India, it is the beginning of another phase in bilateral relations. There can be no isolation of the Taliban regime this time, as was the case in the 90s. The new dispensation is coming with legitimacy provided by none other than India’s partner and ally, the United States of America.