The Taliban, hard liners were ousted from power in Afghanistan by a US military campaign in 2001. The US administration is now in the process of reducing the number of its troops in the country and enter into a peace accord with the same Taliban. In case this happens, then the present legal Afghan Government will be in a limbo. This cannot be permitted by India in any case. The Indian government should want its politico-security interests in Afghanistan guarded and for this must ensure that the present Afghan Government is fully backed . India should neither permit nor allow to stay any interim arrangement that lacks legitimacy.
India is preparing for any eventuality in Afghanistan by being in regular touch with key political stakeholders in the war-ravaged country and with the other nations including key regional powers that want stability there,according to officials. The interim administration runs the risk of being dominated by figures who are imposed from abroad and, therefore, will not be in the interest of the Afghan people. So this cannot be permitted by India ……not any more.
New Delhi is in touch with several Afghan political leaders across parties to prepare for any eventuality. The entire Afghan political leadership, including former president Hamid Karzai, is holding consultations with India regarding future of their country.
“India will not be caught off guard this time .While the future of Afghan situation is a key item on the agenda of Indo-US ties, the government is in touch with Moscow as well as Tehran, with both having vital interests in the landlocked country. Besides, India is in consultation with China and has launched a capacity building project for Afghan diplomats. This is India’s neighborhood where outsiders cannot be permitted any more.
Rising terror attacks in Afghanistan is a worry for both Russia and Iran and such phenomenon will have spillover impact across Afghan boundaries. The functioning of Chabahar Port, whose operations are run by India, serves the purpose of Afghanistan as well as other nations that have high stakes in Afghanistan.
According to the sources, the situation in Afghanistan will be on the agenda when the foreign ministers of Russia, India and China meet in Shanghai later this month. Similarly, while withdrawing from Afghanistan, the US will not be permitted to be guided by some regional powers and ignore Delhi’s interests. No other country apart from India has invested so heavily in improving the Socio-Economic conditions of the Afghans since 2001, USA has carried out more destruction than investment in Afghanistan .
USA and all others should know that the Taliban, does not represent either the entire majority Pashtun community nor can it represent the minorities—Tajiks, Uzbeks and Hazaras—who are as much an integral part of the country as the Pashtuns. India maintains ties with all communities and represents their interests, and its support is imperative for any government in Kabul.
