8 months ago
Afghanistan Under Taliban 2.0: Peace, Progress, and Indian Ties
The article describes life in Afghanistan under the Taliban's rule, focusing on a village called Porakh.
The villagers, including the Stanikzai brothers, talk about how the Taliban's victory has brought peace after years of war.
They mention that there are no more gunfights or bomb blasts, and people can live without fear.
The Taliban government claims to have integrated the country, reduced drug abuse, and improved the economy.
The article also highlights the warm hospitality Afghans extend to Indians, with many Afghans expressing admiration for Indian actors.
The author, an Indian journalist, experiences this firsthand during his visit.
The article also touches on the Taliban's more restrained approach compared to their past, allowing former rivals to live peacefully.
Overall, the article paints a picture of a country trying to rebuild and move forward, with a special focus on its relationship with India.
The Taliban's victory has brought peace to Afghanistan, with no more gunfights or bomb blasts, allowing villagers to live without fear.
The Taliban government claims to have integrated the country, reduced drug abuse, and improved the economy, with 1 USD equaling 66 Afghanis.
Afghans express admiration for Indian actors and extend warm hospitality to Indians, with many recalling the deep historical ties between the two countries.
The Taliban has shown restraint, allowing former rivals like Hamid Karzai to live peacefully in Kabul, marking a shift from their past vengeful actions.
The article highlights the Taliban's efforts to rebuild the country, including forming a commission to bring back former ministers and officials.
- Who
- Afghan villagers, Taliban leaders, Indian journalist Suvojit Bagchi, and Afghan expats
- What
- Life in Afghanistan under Taliban 2.0, including peace, economic stability, and relations with India
- Where
- Porakh village in Logar province, Kabul, and Herat in Afghanistan
- When
- October and November 2025
- Why
- To document the changes and perspectives in Afghanistan after the Taliban's victory and to explore Afghanistan-India relations
Key facts
- Location
- Porakh, Logar province, Afghanistan
- Key Figures
- Ruhullah Stanikzai, Engineer Taher Stanikzai, Sadeq Stanikzai, Mawlavi Muhajer Farahi, Professor Faiz Zaland
- Casualties
- 0.6% of Afghanistan's population died in the war
- Currency Exchange
- 1 USD = 66 Afghanis
- Notable Landmark
- Mes Aynak mountain with Buddhist ruins and copper deposits
- Hospitality Tradition
- Mehman Nawazi (Afghan hospitality)
- Indian Connection
- Afghans' admiration for Indian actors like Sunny Deol, Shah Rukh Khan, and Amitabh Bachchan
Quotes
Ruhullah Stanikzai
A resident of Porakh and father of Hamdullah, a Taliban Mujahid killed by a US airstrike.
“Marriages and funerals are conducted without fear, guests like you can come.”
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“My son’s death didn’t go in vain. We have won.”
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Mawlavi Muhajer Farahi
Deputy Information Minister in the Taliban government.
“The key one was to integrate the country. In Islamic Emirate, we now found one consolidated, unique government. We have established a ‘centre’ in Kabul, in four years.”
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“Each dollar costs 66 Afghanis. Isn’t that the best in South Asia?”
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Taliban security guards
Taliban security guards at the Interior Ministry in Kabul.
“How is Sunny Deol, and what is he doing?”
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“Tell the Indian government to give us weapons. Whatever ‘tightening’ needs to be done to Pakistan, we will do it right here.”
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Engineer Stanikzai
A resident of Porakh and brother of Ruhullah Stanikzai.
“For 15 years, every night the Mujhahids and the state forces fought on this black road. Every morning, bodies were found.”
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Former minister (unnamed)
A former minister in the Afghan government who requested not to be named.
“The collapse of Afghanistan will escalate and export militancy, drugs and human trafficking.”
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Professor Faiz Zaland
A social and political scientist at Kabul University.
“They even told me that I could continue my job at the university. I have been doing so for the last four years, just as I did for the ten years prior.”
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OB (Afghan expat)
An Afghan expat staying in the same budget hotel as the author in Kabul.
“However, I noticed in London that you people don’t seem to understand that.”
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Sources
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