India and Afghanistan - UNSC resolution, Taliban on Kashmir

The emerging situation in Afghanistan and the Talibani statement on Kashmir

 India and Afghanistan - UNSC resolution, Taliban on Kashmir

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• The story: India's one-month presidency of the UN Security Council came to an end, and government claimed a big achievement in the form of UNSC Resolution 2593 that condemned terrorism and urged the Taliban to ensure human rights. The government seemed happy that its key concerns were addressed in the Resolution (sponsored by the US, UK, France), that asked the Taliban to ensure safe evacuations of Afghans and not allowing terror activity on Afghan soil.
• Demands: There were three demands from the Taliban regime - (i) uphold rights, (ii) inclusive political settlement, and (iii) condemn terror and prevent attacks. Sadly, the UNSC has practically accepted the Taliban regime as the governing power in Afghanistan, and has no counter-measures. That actually puts India into a severe bind.

1. There is nothing that holds the new regime accountable for its action, and definitely no indication of punitive action under UN Charter's "Chapter 7" mandate (UNSC and peacekeeping)
2. The language used was due to Russia and China, that finally abstained, and this divide in the P-5 will ultimately be bad (P-5 - Permanent Five)

• The UN system: The UN system is quite powerful, and can meaningfully impact the future of Afghanistan, and it must not let go of that opportunity

1. The 1988 (Taliban) Sanctions Committee can easily ensure that funds (or arms or travel permissions) are not allowed to Talibanis if they don't show commitment to international principles [India is chair of this committee]
2. The "UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan" is due for renewal on Sept 17 can also be a lever
3. India has a huge stake in Afghanistan, being a neighbour, and must keep pushing for the above outcomes

• Taliban on Kashmir: Amid concerns in India that Afghan soil under the Taliban regime can be used for terrorist activities against it, the group said it has the right to speak out in favour of Muslims anywhere, including in Kashmir, though it does not have a policy of conducting “armed operations” against any country.

1. This was said by Suhail Shaheen, Taliban spokesman for its political office in Doha.
2. His exact words were, "We will raise our voice and say that Muslims are your own people, your own citizens and they are entitled to equal rights under your law."
3. As Muslims, it was the group's right to speak out for Muslims living in Kashmir and any other country.
4. Interestingly, the Taliban has aligned fully with China, the perpetrator of a near-genocide on the Uighur Muslims in its Xinjiang province!

• India Taliban meeting: This statement came just a few days after the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi said Indian envoy to Qatar Deepak Mittal met Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the head of the Taliban's Political Office in Doha, at the request of the group. Mittal had conveyed to Stanekzai that Afghanistan's soil should not be used for anti-Indian activities and terrorism. It was the first publicly acknowledged formal diplomatic engagement that came two weeks after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan.
• On Haqqanis: Regarding the Haqqani Network, Shaheen said that the propaganda against the Haqqanis was based on mere claims. He said Haqqani is not a group but they are part of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. These remarks came after Al-Qaeda through its Al-Sahab media asked the Muslim community to “free” other Muslim lands after the liberation of Afghanistan, putting Kashmir on the list of targets of jihad.
• Which lands to be "freed": Besides Kashmir, it shortlisted the Levant, comprising Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon; Maghreb, or the region in northwest Africa consisting of Libya, Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, Tunisia and Somalia; and Yemen on its priorities.
• EXAM QUESTIONS: (1) Why would the Taliban want to have a say in Kashmir, when they are silent on the atrocities against Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang of China? Analyse. (2) What are the three likely outcomes of the emerging situation in Afghanistan? Explain.

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#Taliban #Afghanistan #UNSC #Uighurs #China #Kashmir #Xinjiang

 

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