India has emerged as the only country to publicly condemn Pakistan’s recent airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, while other regional powers have so far remained silent.
The strikes, carried out Saturday night, targeted areas in eastern provinces, including Nangarhar. According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, 13 civilians were killed in Nangarhar. Pakistan has said it targeted members of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, and the Islamic State’s regional affiliate.
New Delhi sharply denounced the strikes, describing them as an attempt by Pakistan to “externalize its internal failures.”
In contrast, several regional countries — including Russia, China and Central Asian states — have not issued formal statements. Many of those governments have maintained political and economic engagement with the Taliban in recent years despite not formally recognizing their administration.
Iran responded cautiously, calling for restraint without directly condemning Pakistan. A day after the strikes, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tehran was prepared to help mediate between the Taliban and Pakistan.
Regional governments have long expressed concern about the presence of armed groups in Afghanistan. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a recent report that between 20,000 and 23,000 fighters affiliated with various armed groups are present in the country.
Analysts say the muted response from many countries may reflect both the Taliban’s lack of international recognition and the broader political and economic ties many states maintain with Pakistan.
The airstrikes come amid escalating tensions between Islamabad and the Taliban, with each side accusing the other of harboring militant groups.
Critics argue that the Taliban lack the military capacity to confront Pakistan directly and are instead using the strikes to rally domestic support. Some also note that during the two decades of the former republic government in Afghanistan, Pakistan repeatedly shelled parts of Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, actions the Taliban did not publicly condemn at the time.
