AFGHAN PEACE PROCESS

2021 MAR 12

Mains   > International relations   >   India and Neighbours   >   India-Afghanistan

WHY IN NEWS:

  • In March 2021, the Joe Biden administration has proposed a new peace plan to the Afghan government and the Taliban, seeking to bring violence to a halt and form an interim government.

BACKGROUND:

  • After 9/11 terror attack Taliban government in Afghanistan provides safe heaven to Bin Laden >> make U.S hostile >> US launched airstrikes against Afghanistan.
  • The US was joined by an international coalition and the Taliban were quickly removed from power.
  • However, Taliban turned into an insurgent force and continued deadly attacks, destabilising subsequent Afghan governments >> Since then, the US is fighting a war against the Taliban.
  • A peace deal between the U.S. and the Taliban was signed in February, 2020 (Doha accord)
  • This peace deal is expected to kick-off two processes:
    • A phased withdrawal of US troops and an ‘intra-Afghan’ dialogue.
    • The deal is a fundamental step to deliver a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire and the future political roadmap for Afghanistan peace process
    • This represent a step towards ending the 18-year-war in Afghanistan
  • In March 2021 U.S proposed an UN-led conference of representatives of Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, India and the U.S “to discuss a unified approach to support peace in Afghanistan”.
  • U.S’s special envoy to afghan brought proposals with the Afghan leadership and the Taliban to accelerate talks.
    • It urges both sides to reach a consensus on:
      • Afghanistan’s future constitutional and governing arrangements
      • Find a road map to a new “inclusive government”
      • Agree on the terms of a “permanent and comprehensive ceasefire”

SIGNIFICANCE OF PEACE IN AFGHANISTAN:

  • Security:
    • A stable Afghanistan is crucial for regional and domestic security and stability for India.
    • India has been the victim of state-sponsored terrorism emanating from Pakistan supported terrorist group operating in the region (ex: Haqqani network)
  • Natural resources:
    • Afghanistan is known for its geo-strategic importance and abundance of natural resources.
    • Afghanistan has an estimated 1 trillion USD of untapped resources according to a report by US Geological Survey.
  • Connectivity:
    • The most important role of Afghanistan is always considered as India’s gateway to Central Asia.
    • For instance, connectivity with Afghanistan and further with Central Asia have been primarily the reasons for India’s engagement with Iran to develop Chabahar port.
  • Developmental projects:
    • The massive reconstruction plans for the country to offer a lot of opportunities for Indian companies.
    • Construction of Afghan Parliament, Zaranj-Delaram Highway, and the Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam (Salma Dam), along with India’s assistance of more than $3 billion in projects, hundreds of small development projects (of schools, hospitals and water projects) have cemented India’s position in Afghanistan.
  • Strengthening regional foothold:
    • Increasing strategic engagements with Afghanistan combination is beneficial for India in strengthening a foothold in the region.
    • For example, India’s relations with Iran at present are dominated by oil.
    • Diversification of engagements would strengthen India’s relations with Iran and other countries.
  • Energy ambitions:
    • To address its energy needs to sustain its economic growth, pipelines from Iran and Central Asia would be extremely important.
    • India sees Afghanistan as an essential component of the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) pipeline.
    • An unstable Afghanistan would hurt the construction of this pipeline and the subsequent flow of gas.
  • Trade:
    • In case of trade, Afghanistan can help India export its products to Europe, gaining foreign exchange.
    • The railway line from Chabahar to Zahedan in Afghanistan envisages connecting New Delhi with Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia and Europe.

INDIA’S POLICY TOWARDS AFGHANISTAN:

  • Re-building indigenous Afghan capacity:
    • India policy towards Afghanistan is to help rebuild Afghanistan’s infrastructure and institutions, education and technical assistance in order to rebuild indigenous Afghan capacity in different areas.
  • Peace and reconciliation:
    • India is encouraging an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned broad-based and inclusive process of peace and reconciliation and advocating the need for a sustained and long-term commitment to Afghanistan by the international community.
  • Reconstruction and development:
    • India has completed important projects such as Salma Dam, Afghan Parliament, Zaranj-Delaram Highway etc.
    • These projects highlights India’s continued commitment to Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development.
    • India agreed to implement some new projects such as the Shahtoot Dam and drinking water project for Kabul.
    • India also announced additional USD 1 billion assistance for capability building in spheres such as education, health, agriculture, skill development, women’s empowerment, energy, infrastructure for the same.
  • Strengthening democratic institutions in Afghanistan:
    • India has focused on strengthening democratic institutions in Afghanistan through various efforts like inaugurating the newly built Afghan Parliament, assistance in conducting elections etc.
  • Soft power:
    • India is focusing on soft power methods that involve winning hearts and minds and strengthening its cultural and political relations with Afghanistan.
    • India’s contribution to the development of cricket in Afghanistan is such an example.
  • No military intervention:
    • India is not in favour of using the military in Afghanistan.
    • It was reflected in the recent rejection of the USA proposal to India to intervene militarily.
  • Mutual sharing and solidarity:
    • The development partnership of India-Afghanistan is based on the principles of mutual sharing and solidarity which is branched into five founding modalities of development cooperation that includes capacity building, trade and investment, technology cooperation and others.

CONCERNS:

  • India has not been invited to the UN led Afghan peace process:
    • United Nations Secretariat held a meeting of the “6+2+1” group on regional efforts to support peace in Afghanistan.
    • This group includes six neighbouring countries; two global players the United States and Russia, and Afghanistan itself.
  • India’s reluctance to deal with Taliban:
    • Due to terror activities of the Taliban, India has been very critical of the Taliban coming into power and shown resistance to publicly dealing with the Taliban.
  • India’s divergent position from that of global players:
    • Under the US-Taliban peace deal (2020), the Taliban will be in the centre of power in Afghanistan.
    • India has never announced its support for the U.S.-Taliban peace deal. Rather, India supports the Ashraf Ghani government
  • Security threats:
    • If American troops are pulled out of Afghanistan as per US-Taliban peace deal, the Taliban would make quick gains >> jeopardize India’s security interests

WAY FORWARD:

  • Act as a bridge for talks among various political groups in Afghan:
    • India must pursue opportunities to fulfil its role in the peace efforts in Afghanistan, starting with efforts to bridge the Ghani-Abdullah divide, and bringing together other major leaders with whom India has built ties for decades.
  • Participate in UN led peace process:
    • India should take the diplomatic route to press for its inclusion in ‘6+2+1’ dialogue, to claim its legitimate role in the Afghan peace process.
  • Cooperation with Pakistan:
    • India should restart dialogue with Pakistan, which in turn is necessary for lasting peace in Afghanistan.
  • Engage with Taliban:
    • India can consider the appointment of a special envoy and start Track II diplomacy with the Taliban.
    • India can learn from US-Taliban talks where two opposing parties came to the negotiating table for talks on Afghanistan’s future.
    • At the same time it is essential for India to maintain its strong links with the Afghan government

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. ‘The inclusion of India in the United States’s latest strategy for regional talks on Afghanistan is welcome, but we have to face various hurdles in the path of achieving long-lasting peace in the region’. Discuss.