Indian government is moving slowly, but steadily, on the Afghanistan issue.
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What's tricky in drafting an Afghan policy - An analysis
- The story: Indian foreign policy establishment is now facing a tough challenge: devising viable policies to deal with a Taliban ruled Afghanistan Government, that it had studiously avoided for years.
- Concerns regarding India and the Taliban: India joined the international community to back the formation of a democratically elected government, after the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan. But that did not materialise. Today, the Taliban Government’s support to the radical Islamic causes from across its borders is a major concern. Ater all, Taliban provides safe haven to radical Islamic groups, ranging from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and the Al Qaeda, to the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pakistan.
- Human right violations - The Taliban have ruthlessly crushed attempts by the Tajiks and Shia Hazara population who seek a little bit of autonomy. They thrive on suppression of the majority non-Pashtun population. There is now a consensus that ethnic minorities (who constitute 55 % of the population) and women should enjoy their basic human rights and representation in national life in Afghanistan.
- China’s presence - China’s economic corridors in Pakistan and Afghanistan will be utilised for increasing Beijing’s economic presence in mining Afghanistan’s vast natural resources. The Taliban has stayed away from providing safe-haven and support to the long persecuted, fellow Uighur Muslims, in China’s neighbouring Xinjiang Province. That shows how they were co-opted.
- Indian actions post August 2021: India realised that some contact was needed with the Taliban through engagement with Afghanistan’s western neighbours, who share similar concerns. As a non-permanent member of the UNSC, India backed resolutions in the Security Council to ensure that the Taliban-led government was denied membership of the UN, in view of the Taliban’s support to terrorist groups like the Al Qaeda and the Islamic State.
- India worked in close collaboration with Afghanistan’s Central Asian neighbours, with whom India has excellent relations, while formulating its policies on Afghanistan.
- India, Iran and Russia have a history of working together with the Central Asian Republics in dealing with the Taliban, even before the US invaded Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks.
- India organised a meeting of National Security Advisers of Afghanistan’s Central Asian neighbours, Russia, and Iran, to discuss developments and to work out a strategy to get the Taliban to form a more inclusive government.
- India’s engagement with Afghanistan over the years: India assisted in building the Salma Dam, a 42 MW hydro-electric project in Afghanistan’s Herat Province. Hundreds of Afghan students have received their education in schools and colleges in India. Children’s education has been facilitated in Afghanistan by India providing mid-day meals. The Zaranj-Delaram Highway was built by BRO along the Khash Rud River to provide an alternative route into landlocked Afghanistan through Chabahar port. The Stor Palace was restored in Kabul by India. Construction of Parliament buildings, children’s hospital, 400 buses and 200 mini-buses for urban transportation, Air India aircrafts, Sulabh toilet blocks etc were undertaken by the Indian government. e-Emergency X-Misc visa was introduced by India to fast-track urgent applications for entry to India especially for Afghans as the situation worsens after the Taliban takeover.
- Cornered Taliban: What they expected was a rapid acceptance in world politics, in the form of recognition from countries. That did not happen. Now they are requesting India to resume its economic assistance programme which had amounted to around $3.5 billion. The situation in Afghanistan became desperate where 50% of the population is seriously short of food, and 8.7 million are one step away from famine. India offered to supply 50,000 tonnes of wheat through the shortest route, across the Wagah-Attari border-trading post in Punjab. India also airlifted 6 tonnes of essential medical supplies to Kabul. India has joined the international community in adopting a two-track approach to dealing with Afghanistan. It has decided that the highest priority needs to be given to dealing with the suffering of the people of Afghanistan.
- Summary: Tough choices lie ahead for India, and the MEA needs to take some strategic calls now.
- EXAM QUESTIONS: (1) Explain the dangers in the various strategies that India can follow in the Afghan engagement. (2) What are the Taliban desiring from India? Why is India going slow in ensuring it meets those request? Explain.
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