Taliban marks five years in power as crises deepen

The Taliban celebrated five years in power on August 16, 2025, with a parade outside the former US embassy in Kabul. Interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani credited 'divine assistance' for their return but acknowledged 'issues and problems'. The Deccan Chronicle reports that international organisations and the UN say the Taliban have struggled with humanitarian crises, partly due to severe restrictions on Afghan women, including barring 2.5 million girls from secondary schools and universities.

The Deccan Herald notes that while most countries have not formally recognised the Taliban government, Russia became the first to do so in July 2025. India upgraded its mission in Kabul to an embassy in October 2025 after a visit by Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. However, relations with Pakistan have soured, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of supporting Pakistani insurgents. The Taliban face threats from Islamic State Khorasan Province and have seen a string of assassinations of key officials.

The International Rescue Committee warned that Afghanistan's humanitarian needs have reached a record level due to droughts, earthquakes, and deportations from Iran and Pakistan. The UN's Georgette Gagnon stated that Afghanistan's future depends on realising the rights of all Afghans. The Deccan Herald concludes that the Taliban's political endurance suggests they may not be a temporary interlude, urging India to engage pragmatically without illusions.