In a pointed critique, a former Afghan military analyst has called out the Taliban for what he describes as blatant hypocrisy in its recent overtures toward India. The analyst questions the group’s claim that it shares the “same DNA” with New Delhi, arguing that such rhetoric rings hollow given the reported violence against Muslims in India. He contends that the Taliban’s growing engagement with India – including diplomatic visits and economic cooperation – directly contradicts the group’s foundational record of defending Muslim communities and Islamic values worldwide. According to the analyst, this pragmatic pivot reveals a leadership more interested in political legitimacy and resource acquisition than ideological consistency. My own opinion: The Taliban’s attempt to rebrand itself as a responsible state actor while maintaining its repressive domestic policies is a calculated move. By cozying up to India, the Taliban seeks to break its international isolation and secure economic lifelines – but it also risks alienating its own hardline base. The analyst’s critique is valid: if the Taliban truly cared about Muslim welfare, it would condemn human rights abuses wherever they occur, not selectively engage with countries based on geopolitical convenience. This contradiction undermines the group’s credibility and exposes its real priorities: survival and power, not principle.