Afghanistan And Beyond
By
Colonel Krityanand Das
Afghanistan came into present form of a nation state only after the assassination of Nadir Shah of Iran with the break away Afghan general Ahmad Shah Abdali creating an Afghan state. He took with him Iran’s eastern province now adversely famous Khorasan provice and much of the loot of Mughal’s wealth.
He became a new power centre in the subcontinent as Mughals had become almost a pensioner of the Marathas. With his death every thing vanished. Sikhs tore away his eastern provinces and similar fate came to his western portions at the hands of Persians. Then came the British and the Russian and the GREAT GAME started with little intervals and no end as yet in the sight.
May be after the Kushan Empire it was only during Abdali/ Durrani period that Afghans had some prestige and power. Other than that they have just been a nuisance that a mercenary can be or the fear that a highway man can create for the way farers or the settled populations around.
It has been like a wagons train most of the times. Political powers have pushed it around on its limited track with their Power.
Afghans were generally having a khusi time during the reign of king Zahir Shah. But then Americans lured him and the foolish Soviets entered the Afghan snare. Finally they had to withdraw and thus the Americans avenged their Vietnam defeat by the Soviets. And then the Americans themselves strayed into the known quicksand and have barely managed to get out with their bottoms mauled in full view of the world.
Pakistan seems to be the winner meanwhile. Afghanistan was not at all happy at the creation of Pakistan in 1947. Even though it was a state created in name of Islam for the first time in history out of a Hindu majority India. So much so Afghanistan had opposed Pakistan’s entry into the UNO. This she did for two reasons, first, it no longer remained a sole Muslim Nation in the Subcontinent. Second, it was no longer a sole link to Central Asia for the huge Indian Market.
However the main issue was that with linear Pakistan coming into existence, its hope of return of territory west of the Durand Line was almost over. Till date no Afghan Government or even its people have recognized Durand Line as the border between Afghanistan or British India or Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Both Pakistan and Afghanistan dislike each other. Pakistan has always believed that a stable Afghanistan was not good for Pakistan. And it needed Afghan territory for the strategic depth vis a vis its linear layout that could be torn apart by a major Indian offensive.
So now it has an unstable Afghanistan and its proxy is in almost full control of the whole country providing the long cherished strategic depth against India. Having got it now, it will like to keep it that way. And for this it will make use of China just as Musharraf made use of a naïve America.
Chinese have sea sickness in their DNA. That is why they have this BRI. They want to avoid sea at all cost. They want to reach EU across the Eurasian landmass and may be to their new African colony as well, across the Central Asia, Middle East and into the Africa. They are the Master Engineers of the world. They built Great Wall to stop northern nomads, they built Grand Canal to avoid sea pirates in past and so they will build great road and rail links across Afro- Eurasian Landmass. And for this they will need the land locked Afghanistan.
China’s quest for Afghan passage may shape much of new world history. For that it needs willing or coerced approvals from Central Asia, India and Iran. Something that the Mongols managed in 13th century AD. China is the new Mongolia and Xi jingping is the new Chengiz Khan. And the Chinese money is the new Mongolian ponies on which China will ride and seek its “Rightfull Place” in the world !
Can India skip the assaulting hordes as it did in 13th century AD ? The present Government seems to be fit for the coming role.
The Mongols reached every place on Eurasian landmass except India. How and why it happened is not much talked and taught in history books and in the classes!
South China Sea can help India. That can suck Chinese resources and attention. An misadventure into Taiwan can be a blessing in disguise provided Uncle Sam takes a stand.
A continental size country and a Civilizational State like India has to be like China. Be a power house and not a device needing to be charged frequently at someone else’s charging point all the while. Then and then alone it has a future or else its all past!
