Award Person Misc News Compilation for Month of September for upcoming Exam
* Rajan took over the charge as the 23rd Governor of Reserve Bank of India as a successor of outgoing Governor of RBI, Dr. Subbarao. Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India approved the appointment of Raghuram Rajan (50) as the new Governor of Reserve Bank of India for next three years.
* The Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari released the book titled Ahmev Radha, Ahmev Krishnah at New Delhi. At the release function, the Vice President of India called people of India to stay in connection with the cultural roots for the purpose of overall development.
The book is written by Gulab Kothari, Chief Editor of Hindi newspaper Rajasthan Patrika.
* 5 September 2013 was designated as the Teachers Day in India. The day is dedicated to the first vice president of India and the second President of India, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was born on this day in South India.
* An Indian woman writer Sushmita Banerjee was killed by unidentified gunmen outside her home in eastern Paktika province of Afghanistan. The attackers shot her dead outside the house. The militants dumped her dead body outside a madarasa. 49-year old Sushmita was married to an Afghan businessman Jaanbaz Khan and recently moved back to Afghanistan to live with him. Her book entitledKabuliwaler Bangali Bou, became a bestseller in 1995. The memoir was based on her experiences in Afghanistan and her escape from the Taliban captivity in the 1980s.
The book was also a theme for a Bollywood filmEscape from Talibanin 2003.
* President of India Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi conferred Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony, 2013on Maestro Zubin Mehta.
Zubin Mehta is an Indian Parsi conductor of western classical music. The Government of India previously had honoured Zubin Mehta with the Padma Bhushan and with India's second highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan.
* Deepak Sandhu became the first woman Chief Information Commissioner. She was administered the oath of the office by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee. Deepak Sandhu took over the office from Satyananda Mishra. Mishra served the 5 year term in the office.
* International Literacy Day was held on 8 September 2013. International Literacy Day was designated by UNESCO on 17 November 1965. This day was first celebrated on 8 September 1966. International Literacy day is observed every year on 8 September to raise people's awareness and concern for literacy issues in the world. It aims to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities, societies and reminds the international community of the status of literacy and adult learning globally.
* Manomohan Singh, the Prime Minister of released a Postage Stamp in the memory of the freedom fighter and former Member of Parliament, Lala Jagat Narayan. The postage stamp was released in New Delhi.
* The Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari released a book entitled India and Malaysia: Intertwined Strands at New Delhi. The book is authored by former Diplomat Veena Sikri.
* The Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari presented the First Sree Narayan Guru Global Secular & Peace Award 2013 to Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for Human Resources Development, Government of India at a function in Thiruvananthpuram, Kerala.
* The Lowland, the book of Jhumpa Lahiri was shortlisted among the six books for the Man Booker Prize 2013.
Her first novel was The Interpreter of Maladies published in the year 1999. It won the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
The Namesake published in 2003 was her second novel.
In 2008 she wrote the novel named Unaccustomed Earth.
Book entitled, Bring up The Bodies by Hillary Mantel was the winner of the 2012 Booker Prize.
The Man Booker Prize promotes the finest in fiction by rewarding the very best book of the year. The prize, was launched in 1969, aims to promote the finest in fiction by rewarding the best novel of the year written by a citizen of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland.
* Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Liberian President was conferred with the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2012 by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee at a function orgainsed in Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Ela Ramesh Bhatt, a renowned Women social worker was the winner of the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development Award 2011 and in the year 2010 it was given to Lula de Silva.
* International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer was observed on 16 September 2013 across the world to bring awareness about the depletion of Ozone layer in the atmosphere. This event commemorates the date of the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987.
The theme for the year 2013 isA healthy atmosphere, the Future We Want.
* Hindi Diwas was celebrated across India on 14 September 2013 for commemorating the occasion of adoption of Hindi as the official language of Constituent Assembly on 14 September 1949.
* Indian-origin American, Nina Davuluri became the first Indian-origin contestant to win the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She was initially named the Miss New York 2013 and subsequently won Miss America 2014 title. She is the first Indian-origin woman to be chosen as Miss America.
* The President of India Pranab Mukherjee presented the National Communal Harmony Award for the year 2011 and 2012.
The Foundation for Amity and National Solidarity, Delhi awarded for Organisational category.
* International Day of Peace observed on 21 September 2013 across the world to recognise the efforts of those who have worked hard to end conflict and promote peace. The International Day of Peace is also a day of ceasefire.
The theme for the year 2013 isEducation for Peace.
* Gyan Correas debut Gujarati movieThe Good Road nominated as Indias official entry to 2014 Oscars in the Best Foreign Film category. The Good Road is a 2013 Indian drama film written and directed by Gyan Correa.
The film,The Good Road, the story of a boy who is lost and found while his family is on a holiday trip to the Kutch. Gujarat.
* Government of India appointed Justice Vangala Eswaraiah, former Acting Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC).He was succeeded by Justice M. N. Rao, a retired Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court.
* Gandhi Before India: Ramachandara Guha
Historian and author Ramchandra Guha wrote a book on early years of Mahatma Gandhi. The book titled with Gandhi Before India.
In this book Ramachandra Guha outlined the life of Mahatma Gandhi from his birth on 2 October 1869 at Porbandar, Gujarat to till his return to India from South Africa in 1915.
* The Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of India allotted Customized Pin Code to the Supreme Court of India for the first time.The Customized Pin Code of the Supreme Court is 110 201.
Postal Index Number (PIN) or PIN Code is a 6 digit code of Post Office numbering used by India Post.
There are 9 PIN regions in the country.
The first 8 are geographical regions.
The digit 9 is reserved for the Army Postal Service.
* World Tourism Day observed on 27 September 2013 across the world to bring awareness about the importance of tourism.
The purpose of this day is to raise awareness on the role of tourism within the international community and to demonstrate how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values worldwide.
Theme for 2013:Tourism and Water: Protecting our Common Future
* Sri Srinivasan was sworn in as judge of the US Courts of Appeal for the District of Columbia Circuit. It is the second most powerful court of the United States. He is the first Indian-American to be on the bench of the US Courts of Appeal for the District of Columbia Circuit. He was administered oath of office by Justice Sandra Day O Connor.
* Ruchira Kamboj was appointed as the Permanent Representative of India to UNESCO, Paris with the rank of Ambassador. She will succeed VS Oberoi. At present, Ruchira is joint secretary in Ministry of External Affairs. She is expected to take up her assignment shortly.
* Megan Young of Philippines was crowned Miss World 2013 at the Bali Nasa Dua Convention Center in Bali, Indonesia.
India's Navneet Kaur Dhillon finished among the top 20 finalists but couldnt reach final ten. She won the title of Miss Multimedia.
* The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced former Indian cricket team captain Rahul Dravid as brand ambassador for its National Tobacco Control Campaign. The national anti-tobacco control campaign has to continue till it achieves desired results.
* Every year on 29 September celebrated as the World Heart Day since 1999.
A life course approach to the prevention and control of cardiovascular disease (CVD) with a focus on women and children because healthy children lead to healthy adults and healthy adults lead to healthy families and communities.
The World Heart Day is organised by World Heart Federation.
Sport news Compilation
* The Hyderabad Hotshots won the inaugural edition of the Indian Badminton league (IBL) 2013 played at Sardar Patel Stadium, Mumbai by defeating Awadhe Warriors in the finals. Saina Nehwal helped Hyderabad hotshots on level terms after defeating PV Sindhu..
Saina Nehwal was awarded as the player of the tournament, because of her undefeated feat in the complete tournament.
* South Korea defeated India 4-3 in the final of the Asia Cup Hockey at Ipoh,. With this, South Korea confirmed its place in the World Cup at The Hague.
* Serena Williams won the Womens Single Title at US Open 2013 and the pair of Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek secured the Mens Doubles Title 2013 at the same tournament.
* The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that wrestling to be the part of Olympics in the 2020 and 2024 Games. Wrestling was approved by the IOC on Sunday as an additional sport for 2020 and 2024.
Wrestling a sport as ancient as the games themselves is back in the Olympics after seven months. It was dropped by the IOC executive board in February 2013.
* Thomas Bach of Germany was elected as the ninth President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He is the successor of Jacques Rogge of Belgium, who headed the IOC, since 2001 to 10 September 2013. He was the eighth President of IOC.
* Afghanistan won the South Asian Football Federations (SAFF) Championship 2013 by defeating India, the defending champions by 2-0 at Dashrath Rangashala stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal. This is maiden international trophy lifted by Afghanistan in Football.
* Cricketers S Sreesanth and Ankeet Chavan were handed life ban for IPL spot-fixing by BCCI (The Board of Control for Cricket in India). Amit Singh banned for five years, while Siddharth Trivedi got banned for one year. Harmeet Singh has been excused, while a decision of Ajit Chandila will be taken later. An internal probe conducted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India found, Sreesanth and Ankeet Chavan guilty on multiple accounts, including conceding a pre-determined number of runs per over in exchange for bribes.
* The Indian wrestler Amit Kumar bagged Silver Medal in 55 Kg Free Style category in the 2013 Senior World Wrestling Championship being held at Budapest, Hungary.
* Indian wrestler Bajrang Kumar has bagged a bronze medal in the 60 kilogram freestyle category at the World Wrestling Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
* India's Deepika Kumari settled for a silver medal at the Archery World Cup in Paris, France. In the final, Deepika lost to the Korean Olympic champion Ok-Hee Yun, 6-4, and had to settle for a Silver in the showpiece annual fixture, held after four stages. This was Deepikas fourth successive World Cup Final appearance and second loss to Yun.
* Indian wrestler Sandeep Tulsi Yadav won bronze medal in the 66kg Greco-Roman category at the Senior World Wrestling Championships in Budapest. Sandeep Tulsi Yadav defeated Serbia's Aleksandar Maksimovic, 4-0 to bag the bronze medal.
* India won bronze medal in the 8th Womens Asia Cup 2013 as they defeated China 3-2 via penalty shootout in the 3rd/4th place play-off played at the National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
* Narayanaswamy Srinivasan was re-elected as the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for a third term at its 84th annual general meeting (AGM) held at Chennai. He was unanimously re-elected as the president of BCCI for the term of 2013-14. Other office bearers were also elected on the same day.
1. by Atul yadav
Reference
Hindu, PIB, Jagran Josh
Showing posts with label Afghanistan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Afghanistan. Show all posts
Monday, January 13, 2014
Introduction
24 Dec 1999, IC 814 an Indian Airlines aircraft was hijacked from Kathmandu, after touching down in Amritsar, Lahore and Dubai it finally landed in Kandahar. Taliban acted as negotiators between India and the Pakistan based terrorists, and secured the release of 3 dreaded Terrorists in exchange for safety of the passengers. Later on, one of the terrorist played a role in 2001 Indian parliament attack, another organised murder of Daniel Pearl and had a role in 9/11 attacks. Another is active in recruiting and training of young Muslims to the guerrilla war in Indian Kashmir with full cooperation with the Pakistani ISI. This incident shows the level of cooperation and closeness between ISI and the terrorist organizations based in Pak and also between ISI and Taliban. It also shows the importance to India of peace, stability in Afghanistan which is ruled by a democratic government that is not anti-India and which is Afghan led.
Not only from the security point of view but the relation between our countries also has an economic dimension. Afghanistan can act as an energy and transport corridor, market for our goods and capital investors. As US is drawing down its forces, there is growing concern in the world that it might turn out to be a battle ground among competing spheres of influence. India is particularly worried as US is taking a conciliatory position with Taliban and it knows that to continue its developmental work there will be impossible without the presence of foreign troops.
Historical ties
India historically had extensive connections with Afghanistan, at one time it was a part of Mauryan Empire and was later under Indo-Greek kingdom. So till Islams arrival in Afghanistan Hinduism, Buddhism and Zoroastrianism flourished. Turkic invaders who are from Afghanistan namely Ghaznavids,Ghurids,Khiljis,Suris, andDurranis invaded India from 10th to 18th cen. British India fought 3 wars(1st-1839-42, 2nd-1878-80, 3rd-1919) with it, which are part of the Great Game between British and Russia. At the time of Partition INC supported efforts of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khans in lobbying for greater Pashtun freedom in the NWFP. This issue of border demarcation between Pakistan and Afghanistan is still not resolved. Pak adopted the Durand line as its northern boundary with Afghanistan in 1947, this was initially arrived at by an agreement in 1893 between British and the Amir. But there has never been aformalagreement orratification betweenIslamabad and Kabul. Pashtun and Baloch people live on either side of the boundary having cultural and Kin- Ship ties, so some groups among them also resist the recognition of the line. This is one of the major reasons for animosity between them. Another reason for prejudice between them is Pakistans strategy of using Afghanistan for Strategic depth against India. After collapse of Soviet backed regime in 1992, ISI created and directed Taliban to capture power and from then onwards it was acting as a wholly owned subsidiary of Pakistans military. Strategic Depth refers to the opportunity for Pakistans leadership to shift to Afghanistan in an event of Indian attack to absorb the initial thrust and quickly plan a counter attack from there.
Afghanistan is the newest member in SAARC. After PoK got divided, No direct border but psychologically we both think we are neighbors and friends (because Pak is enemy to both and cultural ties from thousands of years). Its geography is both a boon and bane (its strategic position led many countries to fight for it leading to wars) for it. Its a gate way to central Asia and beyond, and to west Asia. It has immense potential to develop as a hub of trade, energy and transport corridors-this would help the long-term sustainability of development efforts in the region. India-Afghan relations were fairly well managed till Taliban captured power; in fact India was the only country in the region which recognized the soviet-Afghan regime. After setting up of democratic government the relations started flourishing again culminating in Strategic partnership agreement in 2011, it is Indias 1st such agreement with a South Asian nation. India also worked for its inclusion in SAARC. In a 2010 poll, Afghanspreferred India's leadership over that of theU.S.andChina, with 50% expressing approval, the most positive rating of India for any other surveyedAsia-Pacificcountry.
India in Afghanistan
* A rising India can be market for its goods and can become a partner in our growth, and India can also be a source of Investment and capacity building expertise.
* India as a bilateral donor gave $2b in aid.
* India undertaking projects virtually in almost all sectors-hydroelectricity, power transmission lines, roads, agriculture and industry, telecommunications, information and broadcasting, education, health, these fields have been identified by Afghan govt as priority areas for reconstruction and development.
* Supported maternal and child health hospitals like IG hospital in Kabul, connected through telemedical link with two superspeciality medical centres in India.
* Rebuilt and helped run girls schools, built a vital road in south-western Afghanistan, from Zaranj to Delaram, opening up a trade route towards the west to supplement the existing route through Pak.
* 24 hours electricity possible in Kabul because of Indian engineers developing transmission cables at a height of 3000mts across mountains.
* Education and training programmes in Afghanistan are the largest such programmes India offers for any other country and India offer the largest skill and capacity development programme than any other country.
* Students and civil servants come to India for education and training this helps stabilize the country and region. 675 scholarships a year. Tube wells, sanitation projects and medical missions, solar energy projects, gave at least 3 Airbus planes to Afghanistan national airlines. Constructing Salma Dam across HariRud river in Herat and finishing Afghanistan parliament building.
* SAIL led consortium won three of the four resource blocks at Hajigak there, considered the largest iron ore deposit in Asia. This is the largest FDI from India in mining ever. SAIL also plans to develop a steel plant. As of 2012 India invested $10.8b in Afghanistan.
* Indias presence increased with the signing of Indo-Afghan strategic partnership in 2011. It goes beyond security dimension, also dwells on trade and economic cooperation, capacity development and education, social cultural & civil society and people to people relations. Two separate MoUs have been signed on mining and hydrocarbon exploration.
These developmental works have also come at cost for India. There were 3 attacks on Indian embassies-latest in Jalalabad, another attack on a residence of Indian development workers and many kidnappings and killing of road building crews and construction personnel.
Why only developmental work by India?
We undertake these developmental works because stability and pluralism in Afghanistan and its integration into the regional ecosystem are in Indias own self-interested-stabilization in Afghanistan will have percussions in the whole region which will pose a grave threat to our security and our vision to become a great power. Other Indian interests-India is planning two hydrocarbon pipelines TAPI and another from Kazakhstan involving 6 countries, which in future could be extended to Russia too. For an energy starved nation like us, we need to diversify our sources and also transport though pipelines are cheaper. Also it is a gateway to markets of central Asia and beyond, so a transport corridor can run through it, this will help us diversify our markets as new land routes develop.
But any Indian involvement in military matters will raise tensions with Pak so India has self-restrained itself to development works while leaving other countries to handle security. India was also not invited to US led International security assistance force (ISAF) due to reservations of Pak.
Present condition
* Russia extended its deal with Tajikistan to have a military base (its largest in foreign soil) up to 30 years. Similar deal made with Kyrgyzstan-these are key to Russia's strategy after NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan. It will also have facilities there to service its military equipment bought by NATO and given to ANSF. Sceptics are saying that Russia is trying to enter Afghanistan again to fill the power vacuum.
* Afghanistan national security forces-ANSF asks India for military aid in light of its skirmishes with Pak army in June to September 2012, it is a test for the Indo-Afghan Strategic partnership agreement between them(1st such accord of Afghan with any other country), India's dilemma is that this move may upset Pak. As it is now accusing India that it is using Afghanistan as a base for war against it.
* Russia chairs SCO (Shanghai cooperation Org) presently, So India hopes to become full member from its present observer status, and China may also welcome India as both have threat from Islamic terror. India hopes SCO can play huge role in Afghan stability, some of its members have ethnic links that country; India wants to be a part of SCO's Regional Anti-terrorism structure (RATS)-which is a useful forum for tackling Islamic militancy.
* India maintains an airbase in Tajikistan. Though neither acknowledges its presence. Tajikistan uses it to counter Taliban inspired groups in its south. This is a strategic asset for India which is worried about future of Afghanistan.
* SAIL led consortium won three of the four resource blocks at Hajigak in Afgh, considered the largest iron ore deposit in Asia-largest FDI from India in mining ever.
* More than 60 foreign soldiers were killed in 2012 in insider attacks. These are also called green on blue attacks; they have bred mistrust and threatened to derail the training process of ANSF, bad news for India.
* Pak, China and Russia met in Beijing to discuss about aftermath of NATO withdrawal, they agreed that SCO should play greater role there, earlier similar talks happened between India, China and Russia in Moscow.
* India-china counter terrorism talks took place in Beijing, previously China did not give much importance to these meeting because of its close relationship with Pak but due to the situation in Afghanistan which may destabilise the region, and threat to its assets there and reports of links of groups in Xinjiang with Pak terrorists, china taking the issue seriously.
* India, Iran and Afghanistan have announced trilateral partnership to develop Chabahar(going to be vital after NATO withdrawal) port in Iran, it will give alternate sea route for the landlocked country, earlier relied on Pak, it is seen as Indias counter to china's stake in pak's Gwadar port-76km from Chabhar, and both are near to strategically important strait of Homruz.
* India will also build Chabahar-Faraj-Bam railway line, Bam is on the border of Afghanistan, from there a 200km road already built by India called Zaranj-Delram road which links with Afghanistan's Garland Highway linking its all major cities
Reconciliation with Taliban
* Afghanistan and Pak met in London, they asked Taliban to open office in Doha and decided to work for a peace deal in 6months, and Pak will release Talibani prisoners from jail as a good will gesture.
* India is cautionary as Taliban and afghan talks take place. Withdrawal of western forces and easing of sanctions could help al-Qaida to which the Taliban has still links with will emerge, although Afghanistan has improved on economic and social parameters it still has terrorist threat, as terrorist infrastructure is still present.
* Taliban also announced that it is interested in negotiations with Afghan government's high peace council; this coincided with its office being opened in Doha and nationwide takeover of security duties by ANSF from NATO.
* Kabul backed out of talks with US and Taliban in Doha after it became clear that Taliban's office in Qatar is a quasi-embassy(it had Taliban flag and named it Islamic emirate of Afghanistan), Kara is angry that US is not disapproving the symbolic political legitimacy granted to Taliban by Qatar. Later the flag was removed with US intervention but fears still in Afghanistan as US might compromise its core interests too.
Initially India was worried at US's interest in reconciliation with Taliban. But it now reconciled to the idea of dialogue with only those Taliban groups who are prepared to renounce violence, but fears are there that once foreign forces are withdrawn, Taliban under Pakistan tutelage might show their true colors and challenge the regime they have compromised with. So to have a long term solution, India favors the option of strengthening ANSF (Afghan national security forces) to fight and overcome terrorism, which it is doing through the Strategic partnership treaty. India believes that any process of reconciliation should be Afghan led and it should be inclusive and transparent. Afghanistan should not be forced to cross the 'red lines' laid down by its government in its London and Kabul communiqus by outside forces.
Future
India is concerned with US's drawdown as its developmental efforts would not be possible without foreign troops present, but all US forces will not be withdrawn, considerable numbers will be retained as the primary objective of its invading is to prevent it from becoming a safe haven for terrorists which it will again become if they withdraw before strengthening Afghan Govt. But after 2014 they will assume a less proactive role and engage in giving support to Afghanistan forces-accordingly bases are being fortified to house US forces after 2014(modest estimate is US will retain 20,000 troops. Afghanistan wants US promise to support it in case of Pak posing threat after its withdrawal. As the withdrawal date nears competing countries are intensifying their efforts to get to have more say, India must engage with such forces like SCO to protect our own interests and not to turn it into a battle ground.
Taliban have intensified their offensives in North, South and Central Afghanistan, ANSF is in bad need of training and equipment. Hence International community should make long term commitments for peace in Afghanistan until it can fend for itself. Afghans have shown remarkable strength though tiring times in the past and they always resurged from ashes, now also youth are dreaming of a New Afghanistan, the least we can do is support them.
Question Bank
1. What are the commercial Interests of India in Afghanistan?
2. Indias efforts at stabilizing Afghanistan?
3. Comments on Reconciliation process with Taliban and Indias concerns about it.
Skeletal structure for answer writing
1. Can mention the SAIL deal and how India is involved in many projects there. And TAPI and other pipeline.
2. Mention under 2 broad points: how stabilizing security(SCO and ANSF) and stabilizing the democratic institutions, scholarships, development, aid etc
3. Indias fears of return of Taliban and its close proximity with ISI, Jalalabad consulate attack-reports say Haqqani network is responsible which has close relations with ISI. Any reconciliation should be Afghan led and should not compromise the basic constitutional principles of the nation.
Bibliography
* Books: PaxIndica by Shashi Tharoor. Chapter of Tough Neighbourhood.
* Internet: Wikipedia, NY Times.
* Newspaper: The Hindu
By:
M V Teja Chilamakuri
CMVT,
G-2, Tirumala Residency,
Nagavamsham vari veedhi,
Anakapalli,
Vishakapatnam,
Andhra pradesh. Pin: 531 001
Not only from the security point of view but the relation between our countries also has an economic dimension. Afghanistan can act as an energy and transport corridor, market for our goods and capital investors. As US is drawing down its forces, there is growing concern in the world that it might turn out to be a battle ground among competing spheres of influence. India is particularly worried as US is taking a conciliatory position with Taliban and it knows that to continue its developmental work there will be impossible without the presence of foreign troops.
Historical ties
India historically had extensive connections with Afghanistan, at one time it was a part of Mauryan Empire and was later under Indo-Greek kingdom. So till Islams arrival in Afghanistan Hinduism, Buddhism and Zoroastrianism flourished. Turkic invaders who are from Afghanistan namely Ghaznavids,Ghurids,Khiljis,Suris, andDurranis invaded India from 10th to 18th cen. British India fought 3 wars(1st-1839-42, 2nd-1878-80, 3rd-1919) with it, which are part of the Great Game between British and Russia. At the time of Partition INC supported efforts of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khans in lobbying for greater Pashtun freedom in the NWFP. This issue of border demarcation between Pakistan and Afghanistan is still not resolved. Pak adopted the Durand line as its northern boundary with Afghanistan in 1947, this was initially arrived at by an agreement in 1893 between British and the Amir. But there has never been aformalagreement orratification betweenIslamabad and Kabul. Pashtun and Baloch people live on either side of the boundary having cultural and Kin- Ship ties, so some groups among them also resist the recognition of the line. This is one of the major reasons for animosity between them. Another reason for prejudice between them is Pakistans strategy of using Afghanistan for Strategic depth against India. After collapse of Soviet backed regime in 1992, ISI created and directed Taliban to capture power and from then onwards it was acting as a wholly owned subsidiary of Pakistans military. Strategic Depth refers to the opportunity for Pakistans leadership to shift to Afghanistan in an event of Indian attack to absorb the initial thrust and quickly plan a counter attack from there.
Afghanistan is the newest member in SAARC. After PoK got divided, No direct border but psychologically we both think we are neighbors and friends (because Pak is enemy to both and cultural ties from thousands of years). Its geography is both a boon and bane (its strategic position led many countries to fight for it leading to wars) for it. Its a gate way to central Asia and beyond, and to west Asia. It has immense potential to develop as a hub of trade, energy and transport corridors-this would help the long-term sustainability of development efforts in the region. India-Afghan relations were fairly well managed till Taliban captured power; in fact India was the only country in the region which recognized the soviet-Afghan regime. After setting up of democratic government the relations started flourishing again culminating in Strategic partnership agreement in 2011, it is Indias 1st such agreement with a South Asian nation. India also worked for its inclusion in SAARC. In a 2010 poll, Afghanspreferred India's leadership over that of theU.S.andChina, with 50% expressing approval, the most positive rating of India for any other surveyedAsia-Pacificcountry.
India in Afghanistan
* A rising India can be market for its goods and can become a partner in our growth, and India can also be a source of Investment and capacity building expertise.
* India as a bilateral donor gave $2b in aid.
* India undertaking projects virtually in almost all sectors-hydroelectricity, power transmission lines, roads, agriculture and industry, telecommunications, information and broadcasting, education, health, these fields have been identified by Afghan govt as priority areas for reconstruction and development.
* Supported maternal and child health hospitals like IG hospital in Kabul, connected through telemedical link with two superspeciality medical centres in India.
* Rebuilt and helped run girls schools, built a vital road in south-western Afghanistan, from Zaranj to Delaram, opening up a trade route towards the west to supplement the existing route through Pak.
* 24 hours electricity possible in Kabul because of Indian engineers developing transmission cables at a height of 3000mts across mountains.
* Education and training programmes in Afghanistan are the largest such programmes India offers for any other country and India offer the largest skill and capacity development programme than any other country.
* Students and civil servants come to India for education and training this helps stabilize the country and region. 675 scholarships a year. Tube wells, sanitation projects and medical missions, solar energy projects, gave at least 3 Airbus planes to Afghanistan national airlines. Constructing Salma Dam across HariRud river in Herat and finishing Afghanistan parliament building.
* SAIL led consortium won three of the four resource blocks at Hajigak there, considered the largest iron ore deposit in Asia. This is the largest FDI from India in mining ever. SAIL also plans to develop a steel plant. As of 2012 India invested $10.8b in Afghanistan.
* Indias presence increased with the signing of Indo-Afghan strategic partnership in 2011. It goes beyond security dimension, also dwells on trade and economic cooperation, capacity development and education, social cultural & civil society and people to people relations. Two separate MoUs have been signed on mining and hydrocarbon exploration.
These developmental works have also come at cost for India. There were 3 attacks on Indian embassies-latest in Jalalabad, another attack on a residence of Indian development workers and many kidnappings and killing of road building crews and construction personnel.
Why only developmental work by India?
We undertake these developmental works because stability and pluralism in Afghanistan and its integration into the regional ecosystem are in Indias own self-interested-stabilization in Afghanistan will have percussions in the whole region which will pose a grave threat to our security and our vision to become a great power. Other Indian interests-India is planning two hydrocarbon pipelines TAPI and another from Kazakhstan involving 6 countries, which in future could be extended to Russia too. For an energy starved nation like us, we need to diversify our sources and also transport though pipelines are cheaper. Also it is a gateway to markets of central Asia and beyond, so a transport corridor can run through it, this will help us diversify our markets as new land routes develop.
But any Indian involvement in military matters will raise tensions with Pak so India has self-restrained itself to development works while leaving other countries to handle security. India was also not invited to US led International security assistance force (ISAF) due to reservations of Pak.
Present condition
* Russia extended its deal with Tajikistan to have a military base (its largest in foreign soil) up to 30 years. Similar deal made with Kyrgyzstan-these are key to Russia's strategy after NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan. It will also have facilities there to service its military equipment bought by NATO and given to ANSF. Sceptics are saying that Russia is trying to enter Afghanistan again to fill the power vacuum.
* Afghanistan national security forces-ANSF asks India for military aid in light of its skirmishes with Pak army in June to September 2012, it is a test for the Indo-Afghan Strategic partnership agreement between them(1st such accord of Afghan with any other country), India's dilemma is that this move may upset Pak. As it is now accusing India that it is using Afghanistan as a base for war against it.
* Russia chairs SCO (Shanghai cooperation Org) presently, So India hopes to become full member from its present observer status, and China may also welcome India as both have threat from Islamic terror. India hopes SCO can play huge role in Afghan stability, some of its members have ethnic links that country; India wants to be a part of SCO's Regional Anti-terrorism structure (RATS)-which is a useful forum for tackling Islamic militancy.
* India maintains an airbase in Tajikistan. Though neither acknowledges its presence. Tajikistan uses it to counter Taliban inspired groups in its south. This is a strategic asset for India which is worried about future of Afghanistan.
* SAIL led consortium won three of the four resource blocks at Hajigak in Afgh, considered the largest iron ore deposit in Asia-largest FDI from India in mining ever.
* More than 60 foreign soldiers were killed in 2012 in insider attacks. These are also called green on blue attacks; they have bred mistrust and threatened to derail the training process of ANSF, bad news for India.
* Pak, China and Russia met in Beijing to discuss about aftermath of NATO withdrawal, they agreed that SCO should play greater role there, earlier similar talks happened between India, China and Russia in Moscow.
* India-china counter terrorism talks took place in Beijing, previously China did not give much importance to these meeting because of its close relationship with Pak but due to the situation in Afghanistan which may destabilise the region, and threat to its assets there and reports of links of groups in Xinjiang with Pak terrorists, china taking the issue seriously.
* India, Iran and Afghanistan have announced trilateral partnership to develop Chabahar(going to be vital after NATO withdrawal) port in Iran, it will give alternate sea route for the landlocked country, earlier relied on Pak, it is seen as Indias counter to china's stake in pak's Gwadar port-76km from Chabhar, and both are near to strategically important strait of Homruz.
* India will also build Chabahar-Faraj-Bam railway line, Bam is on the border of Afghanistan, from there a 200km road already built by India called Zaranj-Delram road which links with Afghanistan's Garland Highway linking its all major cities
Reconciliation with Taliban
* Afghanistan and Pak met in London, they asked Taliban to open office in Doha and decided to work for a peace deal in 6months, and Pak will release Talibani prisoners from jail as a good will gesture.
* India is cautionary as Taliban and afghan talks take place. Withdrawal of western forces and easing of sanctions could help al-Qaida to which the Taliban has still links with will emerge, although Afghanistan has improved on economic and social parameters it still has terrorist threat, as terrorist infrastructure is still present.
* Taliban also announced that it is interested in negotiations with Afghan government's high peace council; this coincided with its office being opened in Doha and nationwide takeover of security duties by ANSF from NATO.
* Kabul backed out of talks with US and Taliban in Doha after it became clear that Taliban's office in Qatar is a quasi-embassy(it had Taliban flag and named it Islamic emirate of Afghanistan), Kara is angry that US is not disapproving the symbolic political legitimacy granted to Taliban by Qatar. Later the flag was removed with US intervention but fears still in Afghanistan as US might compromise its core interests too.
Initially India was worried at US's interest in reconciliation with Taliban. But it now reconciled to the idea of dialogue with only those Taliban groups who are prepared to renounce violence, but fears are there that once foreign forces are withdrawn, Taliban under Pakistan tutelage might show their true colors and challenge the regime they have compromised with. So to have a long term solution, India favors the option of strengthening ANSF (Afghan national security forces) to fight and overcome terrorism, which it is doing through the Strategic partnership treaty. India believes that any process of reconciliation should be Afghan led and it should be inclusive and transparent. Afghanistan should not be forced to cross the 'red lines' laid down by its government in its London and Kabul communiqus by outside forces.
Future
India is concerned with US's drawdown as its developmental efforts would not be possible without foreign troops present, but all US forces will not be withdrawn, considerable numbers will be retained as the primary objective of its invading is to prevent it from becoming a safe haven for terrorists which it will again become if they withdraw before strengthening Afghan Govt. But after 2014 they will assume a less proactive role and engage in giving support to Afghanistan forces-accordingly bases are being fortified to house US forces after 2014(modest estimate is US will retain 20,000 troops. Afghanistan wants US promise to support it in case of Pak posing threat after its withdrawal. As the withdrawal date nears competing countries are intensifying their efforts to get to have more say, India must engage with such forces like SCO to protect our own interests and not to turn it into a battle ground.
Taliban have intensified their offensives in North, South and Central Afghanistan, ANSF is in bad need of training and equipment. Hence International community should make long term commitments for peace in Afghanistan until it can fend for itself. Afghans have shown remarkable strength though tiring times in the past and they always resurged from ashes, now also youth are dreaming of a New Afghanistan, the least we can do is support them.
Question Bank
1. What are the commercial Interests of India in Afghanistan?
2. Indias efforts at stabilizing Afghanistan?
3. Comments on Reconciliation process with Taliban and Indias concerns about it.
Skeletal structure for answer writing
1. Can mention the SAIL deal and how India is involved in many projects there. And TAPI and other pipeline.
2. Mention under 2 broad points: how stabilizing security(SCO and ANSF) and stabilizing the democratic institutions, scholarships, development, aid etc
3. Indias fears of return of Taliban and its close proximity with ISI, Jalalabad consulate attack-reports say Haqqani network is responsible which has close relations with ISI. Any reconciliation should be Afghan led and should not compromise the basic constitutional principles of the nation.
Bibliography
* Books: PaxIndica by Shashi Tharoor. Chapter of Tough Neighbourhood.
* Internet: Wikipedia, NY Times.
* Newspaper: The Hindu
By:
M V Teja Chilamakuri
CMVT,
G-2, Tirumala Residency,
Nagavamsham vari veedhi,
Anakapalli,
Vishakapatnam,
Andhra pradesh. Pin: 531 001
Afghanistan-India & the World
Foreign policy of a country defines the future of a country to a greater extend as it decides two crucial issues namely 1.National security 2.Economic Integration
Background
How did Afghanistan come to this condition?
Phase 1: British Empire(India) vs. Emirate of Afghanistan
* Afghanistan has been called the graveyard of Empires as no single power was able to rein it completely in the past because its resistive tribes this holds true even now
* Afghanistan with free foreign policy as a nation was born as a result of Third Anglo-Afghan War(1919)
* Third Anglo-Afghan War(1919)= British Empire(India) vs. Emirate of Afghanistan
* Why war?
* Britain was worried about Russian influence on Afghanistan which would lead to invasion on India
* Britain had been trying to influence Afghan in its favour through large subsidy to its ruler but bore less fruit as Afghan played the side which paid more which had earlier resulted into Second Afghan war(18781880) effectively enabled control over Afghanistan till the death of Habibullah
* Amanullah, Habibullah third son took over amid power struggle in the kingdom sensing he cannot retain power if he didnt placate the conservatives , decided to go on war as the situation in British India was sensitive post Jallianwala Bagh Massacre(1919).Amanullah invaded British India
* Result?
* British had a tactical victory pushing back Afghanistan army
* But loss from the Indian side was high, both sides had their gains
* Amanuallah managed to stave off the domestic crisis and gained free foreign policy emerged as a independent state by the Treaty of Rawalpindi(1919)
* Britain political gain remained in Afghanistans acceptance of Durrand line
* Durrand line is a contentious issue between Afghanistan and Pakistan now
Phase 2:Cold war Era: The Soviet intervention
* Post Afghanistan independence the notable ruler of Afghanistan was King Mohammad Zahir Shah, remembered for his modern outlook established National legislature & improving the status of Woman
* He built greater ties with the Soviet Union arms purchases, infra projects @ the height of Cold war, this became eye sore for USA which established tie with Zahir through USAID
* Instability crept in when communist factions and Islamic factions of Afghan fighting each other Zahir was overthrown by his cousin Mohammad daoud
* India was the only country to recognize the soviet backed Democratic Republic of Afghanistan in 1980s.
* This pushed back Afghanistan to pre- modern state as Islamic forces were against any change from traditional society
* Soviet Union deployed troops to prevent further control of militias known as Mujahedin
* The USA assisted the Mujahedin in the war against Soviet union
* The anti war sentiments in Soviet union & new leader in power Mikail Gorbachev decided to pull out which was decided based on the Geneva Accords(1988)
* The Geneva accords led to withdraw on both sides;USA it considered a decisive victory over Soviet Union
* Massive reduction in aids followed with the fall of Soviet Union thus leaving a weak government under Najibullah Ahamedzei
Phase 3: Rise of Taliban:
* The weak government of Najibullah fell and the Mujahedins took over the rule of Afghanistan
* Mujahedins were primarily group of 7 Islamic organizations popularly known as Peshawar 7
* The fall of govt lead to in fighting under agreement between the P7 Rabbani became the President he was the UN accepted President even during the later Taliban regime & India too acknowledged him as the President
* A group of Mujahedins disappointed with the infighting between Ruling Mujahedins formed the Taliban movement, they moved to Pakistani madrassas based on the learning there they established the Taliban rule later in Afghanistan
* The infighting among the mujahidins & the civil war made them unpopular which lead to rise in popularity of Taliban in Afghanistan
* Taliban captured Afghanistan at their peak almost had control over 90% of Afghanistan
* Only 3 countries recognized them namely Pakistan, UAE, Saudi Arabia
* Taliban regime was lead by Mullah Mohammad Umar
* Taliban regime(September 1996-November 2001) became vastly unpopular around the world for its treatment of woman, banning TV,music,dance
* Al Qaeda leader Osama bin laden shifted to Afghanistan from Sudan
* The USA throughout pressured Afghanistan to extradite Osama Bin Laden for his attacks on American Embassies throughout the world, Afghanistan refused ties worsened to low point with the September 11 Attacks
* The Bush regime decided to over throw Talibans militarily
* The USA along with NATO forces launched Operation Enduring Freedom along with the Northern Alliance
* The war ended with top leaders escaping to Pakistan including Mohammad Umar & Osama Bin laden (killed by USA:Operation code named Operation Neptune Spear)
Northern Alliance:
* The Northern Alliance is primarily a group of Multi ethnic opposition group consisting of non Pastuns namely Tajiks,Uzbeks & Hazaras .
* The Talibans are primarily Pastuns.Pastuns are the largest population in Afghanistan accounting to 42%
* The Northern Alliance once a group with infighting joined forces with America to defeat Talibans
Phase 4: Post war Afghanistan Karzai Regime
* Post war Bush regime argued that the past mistake of USA post Soviet defeat where USA left Afghanistan lead to the rise of terrorist organizations in Afghanistan hence the nations must come forward to Nation Building of Afghanistan which was accepted by UN
* The Bonn Agreement was signed-to recreate the State of Afghanistan post American Invasion of Afghanistan
* Bonn agreement called for creation of new constitution formation of Interim Government which was headed by Hamid Karzai
* This was followed by elections which Karzai won and is in his second term
* The United Nations involves itself in nation building through United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan(UNAMA)
* UNAMA-involved in Afghan Governance & Nation Building Process
* America has been training the local forces to defend themselves post exit but the current strength of the Afghanistan National security forces is not expected to hold itself against enemy onslaught post exit of western forces
Major Conferences held:
* International Conference on Afghanistan, Bonn Conference I (2001)
* Led to the appointment of Hamid Karzai as leader of Afghan Interim Authority & signing of Bonn agreement. Tagline: The Decade of Transition
* International Conference on Afghanistan, Bonn Conference II (2011)
* Held a decade after Bonn I
* Shift from Decade of Transition(2001-2011) to Decade of Transformation(2014-2024)
* NATO Objective: Leave Afghanistan transferring power to Afghan National Security Forces by 2014
* Karzai Regime Objective: Convince Western forces continue partnership of nation building of Afghanistan through Foreign Aids till Country ready to stand on its own.
* Pakistan boycotted the conference thus reducing the scope of conference to some extend
* Conference mentioned need for reconciliation with insurgents groups to further peace process
* Istanbul Process(2011 Istanbul,2012 Kabul) a.k.a Heart of Asia Conference
* Focused encouraging co operation between Afghanistan & its neighbours
* Key areas of Confidence Building measures(CBM)
* Education, student Exchange Programmes(lead member Iran)
* Disaster Management (lead member Pakistan & Kazakhstan)
* Drug trafficking (lead member Russia & Azerbaijan)
* Terrorism & counter Terrorism measures (lead members UAE,Turkey &Afghanistan)
* Chambers of Commerce & Commercial Opportunities (lead member India)
* NATO Chicago Conference( 2012 )
* Held in Chicago, meeting between heads of NATO
* Discussed various issues one of them being Afghanistan policy
* Endorse exit strategy of Afghan war
* Long term support & commitment to Afghanistan
* Power transition to Afghanistan forces
* Pledge fund for Afghan forces development
* Delhi Investment Summit on Afghanistan(2012)
* GOI partnering with CII & Afghanistan organized investment summit on Afghanistan
to attract foreign investment on Afghanistan
* Earlier in Istanbul process the confidence building measure India was chosen the lead member of Commerce and India followed it up with this summit proving Afghanistans importance to India
* Key areas of investment being Mining, hydrocarbon, Infrastructure, Healthcare & Telecom
* Tokya Conference (2012)
* Tokya conference relates to series of conditions set by International Community
* Key conditions being hold fair elections in 2014
* Improve access to justice, accept International standards on human rights
* Fight Corruption,Terror Financing,money laundering
* Counter menance of illicit narcotics drugs through crop eradication and move towards alternative forms of Agriculture
* 92% of non Pharmaceutical Opium originate from Afghanistan worth $4 billion
* The donors agreed to donate $16 Billion on acceptance of the above conditions
Phase 5: Situation @ hand and Strategic Importance of Afghanistan
* Western approach in solving the Afghan Taliban crisis since Afghan war has been a failure
* West is searching for a way to leave Afghanistan when the situation is worser than 2001 as the war has become unwinnable with the Haqqani & Pakistani nexus hurting the western forces badly
* Plausible solution @ US hand
* Withdraw by 2014
* Maintain a military presence post 2014 in some form
* Reconciliation with the insurgency groups operating from Pakistan
* Train & Rebuild Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF)
* Security transition to ANSF by 2014
* Reconciliation road block as Non Pastuns Minority ethnic groups oppose peace with Taliban as they fear oppression which in case may lead to a future civil war in Afghanistan
* In case of a civil war the situation might tilt towards Pakistan & Haqqani network which could be detrimental for Indias security interests
Indias Position
* India has been neutral so far in handling Afghanistan even during the Taliban regime India worked with UN recognized government of Burhanuddin Rabbani.
* After the overthrow of Taliban regime India continues to work with Karzai
* Factors that affect Indias strategy are
* Taliban factor
* Lack of unity between Karzai & Western forces
* Reduction of Western troops
* Impact of Pakistans influence post western forces exit
* India expects establishment of a modern Islamic state free from Talibani & Pakistani influences as the above forces would deny India the space to work in Afghanistan
* India has so far committed US $2 Billion for reconstruction is Afghanistan and cannot turn blind eye towards such a strategically important country as it might affect the power balance in Asia
Indias work in Afghanistan so far:
* India & Afghanistan have so far signed Strategic Partnership Agreement during Karzais visit to India
* India is the fifth Bilateral largest donor to Afghanistan
* Indias assistance to Afghanistan can be categorized as 3 types
* Humanitarian Assistance(e.g. food aid )
* Infrastructure Projects
* Capacity Building measures
* Major Infra projects by India
* Construction of 218 km road from Zaranj to Delaram to facilitate movement of goods and services from Afghanistan to the Iranian border and, onward, to the Chahbahar Port (Strategic Importance for India earlier explained by Mrunal)
* Construction of the Afghan Parliament
* Construction and commissioning of Salma Dam power project (42 MW) in Herat province
* Restoration of telecommunication infrastructure in 11 provinces
Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhQRPbYQ2NfvxMhMmZT-XG__gdaDVPf9HzLmdXLXbF-Khq8Fpmrb7kqHRHTW0NM_tkQ2KjmZohl4QiVZPp0RGzNOoMZYbOwIRGyfSy2ulJsz1BdooBE46X7iZc0GqrA-tM-8rSRbalOY/s400/IndiaAfghanistan.jpg
* Education and capacity development
* Reconstruction of Habibia School, Kabul.
* 500 annual long-term university scholarships sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations for under-graduate and postgraduate studies for Afghan students in India.
* Indian Interests in Afghanistan:
* Indias Interest in Afghanistan is not just in maintaining the balance towards Pakistan it also goes in the direction of economic purposes of trade on the long run
* A stable Afghanistan would improve intercontinental trade for India through road
* By 2015, Indias trade with Europe, CIS(Commonwealth of Independent states) countries ,Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan would be about $500 billion annually.
* If 20 per cent of this trade were to be conducted through road, $100 billion of Indian trade would be passing through Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Central Asian region.
* This will greatly help North Indian states in the region of trade
* A stable Afghanistan would enable India to implement Connect Central Asia Policy of India(explained earlier by Mrunal)
* TAPI pipeline could be implemented as this could fulfill Indias energy needs(TAPI pipeline explained in Mrunal.org )
* India plans to push International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) which a stable Afghanistan can play a role through DelaramZaranj Highway(Afghanistan) via the Chabahar Port(Iran) bypassing Pakistan in the process.
* Both DelaramZaranj Highway(Afghanistan) and reach the Chabahar Port(Iran)
are funded by India
International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC):
* INSTC is a Multimodal network from India passing through Iran and thus reaching Central Asia and Europe
* The route starts with Mumbai(India) Bandar Abbas Port(Iran) Moscow(Russia) Northern Europe
* INSTC initiated by India,Russia,Iran now joined by 11 more countries Azerbaija,Armenia,Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan,Tajikistan,Turkey,Ukraine,Belarus,Oman,
Syria,Bulgaria
Source:The Hindu
Other Countries:
Pakistan:
* Pakistan plays a crucial role Afghanistans future
* Pakistans objectives are diametrically opposite to that of India
* Pakistan doesnt want Afghanistan to align with India and wants it to provide Strategic depth against India
* Pakistan has been giving safe haven for insurgent groups to gain leverage in Afghanistan.
* Pakistan also wants to train the ANSF
* The Afghanistan Pakistan relations have improved since Sharif took charge & high level envoy ,foreign policy advisor Sartaj Aziz was send to Afghanistan.
* Karzai accepted Pakistan invitation to Pakistan also attended Sharifs sworning as PM
* Afghanistan has border issues with regard to UN recognized Durrand line which Afghanistan doesnt accept
* Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) was signed between the two nations provides easier transportation via Pakistan of Afghan products
* APTTA allows dropping of Afghanistan goods to India but doesnt taking back Indian goods back to Afghanistan
Iran:
* Iran seeks to prevent USA gain too much leverage in Afghanistan as it might help USA to attack Iran on the long run
* Iran also wants to protect the Shia population in Afghanistan
* Iran is also seen to arm Taliban against USA
Central Asian States:
* Central Asian States are seen to provide key assistance to USA to fly in troops to the region
* The USA proposed New Silk Road(NSR) seeks to bring Afghanistan crossroads between Central & South Asia were Central Asia states play a pivotal role.
China:
* China has played a limited role in Afghanistan,keeping an eye on Islamic uprisings which could affect Uighur community in China
* Chinas interest has been primarily on investment in minerals and other investment oriented activities also provide some leverage for its ally Pakistan
The Future Ahead
Status of Force Agreement/Strategic Partnership:
* The USA signed strategic partnership agreement with Afghanistan yet it is different from the Status of Force Agreement (SoFA)
* Status of Force Agreement (SoFA) was earlier signed between USA & Iraq to retain its forces there.
* The current partnership agreement stops short of such conditions as it claims after the signing of the strategic partnership agreement the two countries would initiate negotiation on a Bilateral Security Agreement
* This shows lack of consensus between the two countries which could hamper peace after 2014 ,depends on the troops that stay post 2014 to understand the followup in Afghanistan
* The future of stability in Indian sub continent depends to some extend on the level troops that is retained in Afghanistan that NATO troops in Afghanistan are retained
Taliban Office:
* On June 18, 2013, with U.S. and Qatari concurrence, the Taliban formally opened its political office in Qatar, simultaneously issuing a statement refusing future ties to international terrorist groups
* Expressing willingness to eventually transition to Afghan government-Taliban talks.
* However, the Taliban violated reported understandings with the United States and Qatar by raising above the building the flag of the former Taliban regime and calling the facility the office of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Conclusion
The Future of Geopolitical situation is Indian subcontinent largely rests on the stability in Afghanistan after exit of NATO forces & how the world handles the Talibani group and Northern Alliance.
By R.Aditya
Sources:
http://www.mea.gov.in/Uploads/PublicationDocs/176_india-and-afghanistan-a-development-partnership.pdf
http://www.idsa.in/idsacomments/IranfactorinIndiasAfghanPolicy_sspattanaik_240812
http://www.idsa.in/strategicanalysis/36_4/IndiasAfghanPolicy_SmrutiPattanaik
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jun/26/nato-taliban-india-pakistan
http://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/public/Research/Asia/0813pp_indiaafghanistan.pdf
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL30588.pdf
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1652187.stm
http://www.ipcs.org/article/pakistan/bonn-ii-from-transition-to-transformation-in-afghanistan-3528.html
http://carnegieendowment.org/2013/04/26/istanbul-process-ministerial-results-and-prospects-for-future/g05j
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/22/world/nato-formally-agrees-to-transition-on-afghan-security.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
http://www.idsa.in/idsacomments/TheDelhiInvestmentSummitonAfghanistan_gsachdeva_260612
http://www.unodc.org/afghanistan/en/Events/tokyo-conference-on-afghanistan.html
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/global-corridor-will-cut-cargo-transit-time/article3474227.ece
Book:India s Neighbourhood Challenges in Next two decades by INSTITUTE FOR DEFENCE STUDIES & ANALYSES(IDSA)
Background
How did Afghanistan come to this condition?
Phase 1: British Empire(India) vs. Emirate of Afghanistan
* Afghanistan has been called the graveyard of Empires as no single power was able to rein it completely in the past because its resistive tribes this holds true even now
* Afghanistan with free foreign policy as a nation was born as a result of Third Anglo-Afghan War(1919)
* Third Anglo-Afghan War(1919)= British Empire(India) vs. Emirate of Afghanistan
* Why war?
* Britain was worried about Russian influence on Afghanistan which would lead to invasion on India
* Britain had been trying to influence Afghan in its favour through large subsidy to its ruler but bore less fruit as Afghan played the side which paid more which had earlier resulted into Second Afghan war(18781880) effectively enabled control over Afghanistan till the death of Habibullah
* Amanullah, Habibullah third son took over amid power struggle in the kingdom sensing he cannot retain power if he didnt placate the conservatives , decided to go on war as the situation in British India was sensitive post Jallianwala Bagh Massacre(1919).Amanullah invaded British India
* Result?
* British had a tactical victory pushing back Afghanistan army
* But loss from the Indian side was high, both sides had their gains
* Amanuallah managed to stave off the domestic crisis and gained free foreign policy emerged as a independent state by the Treaty of Rawalpindi(1919)
* Britain political gain remained in Afghanistans acceptance of Durrand line
* Durrand line is a contentious issue between Afghanistan and Pakistan now
Phase 2:Cold war Era: The Soviet intervention
* Post Afghanistan independence the notable ruler of Afghanistan was King Mohammad Zahir Shah, remembered for his modern outlook established National legislature & improving the status of Woman
* He built greater ties with the Soviet Union arms purchases, infra projects @ the height of Cold war, this became eye sore for USA which established tie with Zahir through USAID
* Instability crept in when communist factions and Islamic factions of Afghan fighting each other Zahir was overthrown by his cousin Mohammad daoud
* India was the only country to recognize the soviet backed Democratic Republic of Afghanistan in 1980s.
* This pushed back Afghanistan to pre- modern state as Islamic forces were against any change from traditional society
* Soviet Union deployed troops to prevent further control of militias known as Mujahedin
* The USA assisted the Mujahedin in the war against Soviet union
* The anti war sentiments in Soviet union & new leader in power Mikail Gorbachev decided to pull out which was decided based on the Geneva Accords(1988)
* The Geneva accords led to withdraw on both sides;USA it considered a decisive victory over Soviet Union
* Massive reduction in aids followed with the fall of Soviet Union thus leaving a weak government under Najibullah Ahamedzei
Phase 3: Rise of Taliban:
* The weak government of Najibullah fell and the Mujahedins took over the rule of Afghanistan
* Mujahedins were primarily group of 7 Islamic organizations popularly known as Peshawar 7
* The fall of govt lead to in fighting under agreement between the P7 Rabbani became the President he was the UN accepted President even during the later Taliban regime & India too acknowledged him as the President
* A group of Mujahedins disappointed with the infighting between Ruling Mujahedins formed the Taliban movement, they moved to Pakistani madrassas based on the learning there they established the Taliban rule later in Afghanistan
* The infighting among the mujahidins & the civil war made them unpopular which lead to rise in popularity of Taliban in Afghanistan
* Taliban captured Afghanistan at their peak almost had control over 90% of Afghanistan
* Only 3 countries recognized them namely Pakistan, UAE, Saudi Arabia
* Taliban regime was lead by Mullah Mohammad Umar
* Taliban regime(September 1996-November 2001) became vastly unpopular around the world for its treatment of woman, banning TV,music,dance
* Al Qaeda leader Osama bin laden shifted to Afghanistan from Sudan
* The USA throughout pressured Afghanistan to extradite Osama Bin Laden for his attacks on American Embassies throughout the world, Afghanistan refused ties worsened to low point with the September 11 Attacks
* The Bush regime decided to over throw Talibans militarily
* The USA along with NATO forces launched Operation Enduring Freedom along with the Northern Alliance
* The war ended with top leaders escaping to Pakistan including Mohammad Umar & Osama Bin laden (killed by USA:Operation code named Operation Neptune Spear)
Northern Alliance:
* The Northern Alliance is primarily a group of Multi ethnic opposition group consisting of non Pastuns namely Tajiks,Uzbeks & Hazaras .
* The Talibans are primarily Pastuns.Pastuns are the largest population in Afghanistan accounting to 42%
* The Northern Alliance once a group with infighting joined forces with America to defeat Talibans
Phase 4: Post war Afghanistan Karzai Regime
* Post war Bush regime argued that the past mistake of USA post Soviet defeat where USA left Afghanistan lead to the rise of terrorist organizations in Afghanistan hence the nations must come forward to Nation Building of Afghanistan which was accepted by UN
* The Bonn Agreement was signed-to recreate the State of Afghanistan post American Invasion of Afghanistan
* Bonn agreement called for creation of new constitution formation of Interim Government which was headed by Hamid Karzai
* This was followed by elections which Karzai won and is in his second term
* The United Nations involves itself in nation building through United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan(UNAMA)
* UNAMA-involved in Afghan Governance & Nation Building Process
* America has been training the local forces to defend themselves post exit but the current strength of the Afghanistan National security forces is not expected to hold itself against enemy onslaught post exit of western forces
Major Conferences held:
* International Conference on Afghanistan, Bonn Conference I (2001)
* Led to the appointment of Hamid Karzai as leader of Afghan Interim Authority & signing of Bonn agreement. Tagline: The Decade of Transition
* International Conference on Afghanistan, Bonn Conference II (2011)
* Held a decade after Bonn I
* Shift from Decade of Transition(2001-2011) to Decade of Transformation(2014-2024)
* NATO Objective: Leave Afghanistan transferring power to Afghan National Security Forces by 2014
* Karzai Regime Objective: Convince Western forces continue partnership of nation building of Afghanistan through Foreign Aids till Country ready to stand on its own.
* Pakistan boycotted the conference thus reducing the scope of conference to some extend
* Conference mentioned need for reconciliation with insurgents groups to further peace process
* Istanbul Process(2011 Istanbul,2012 Kabul) a.k.a Heart of Asia Conference
* Focused encouraging co operation between Afghanistan & its neighbours
* Key areas of Confidence Building measures(CBM)
* Education, student Exchange Programmes(lead member Iran)
* Disaster Management (lead member Pakistan & Kazakhstan)
* Drug trafficking (lead member Russia & Azerbaijan)
* Terrorism & counter Terrorism measures (lead members UAE,Turkey &Afghanistan)
* Chambers of Commerce & Commercial Opportunities (lead member India)
* NATO Chicago Conference( 2012 )
* Held in Chicago, meeting between heads of NATO
* Discussed various issues one of them being Afghanistan policy
* Endorse exit strategy of Afghan war
* Long term support & commitment to Afghanistan
* Power transition to Afghanistan forces
* Pledge fund for Afghan forces development
* Delhi Investment Summit on Afghanistan(2012)
* GOI partnering with CII & Afghanistan organized investment summit on Afghanistan
to attract foreign investment on Afghanistan
* Earlier in Istanbul process the confidence building measure India was chosen the lead member of Commerce and India followed it up with this summit proving Afghanistans importance to India
* Key areas of investment being Mining, hydrocarbon, Infrastructure, Healthcare & Telecom
* Tokya Conference (2012)
* Tokya conference relates to series of conditions set by International Community
* Key conditions being hold fair elections in 2014
* Improve access to justice, accept International standards on human rights
* Fight Corruption,Terror Financing,money laundering
* Counter menance of illicit narcotics drugs through crop eradication and move towards alternative forms of Agriculture
* 92% of non Pharmaceutical Opium originate from Afghanistan worth $4 billion
* The donors agreed to donate $16 Billion on acceptance of the above conditions
Phase 5: Situation @ hand and Strategic Importance of Afghanistan
* Western approach in solving the Afghan Taliban crisis since Afghan war has been a failure
* West is searching for a way to leave Afghanistan when the situation is worser than 2001 as the war has become unwinnable with the Haqqani & Pakistani nexus hurting the western forces badly
* Plausible solution @ US hand
* Withdraw by 2014
* Maintain a military presence post 2014 in some form
* Reconciliation with the insurgency groups operating from Pakistan
* Train & Rebuild Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF)
* Security transition to ANSF by 2014
* Reconciliation road block as Non Pastuns Minority ethnic groups oppose peace with Taliban as they fear oppression which in case may lead to a future civil war in Afghanistan
* In case of a civil war the situation might tilt towards Pakistan & Haqqani network which could be detrimental for Indias security interests
Indias Position
* India has been neutral so far in handling Afghanistan even during the Taliban regime India worked with UN recognized government of Burhanuddin Rabbani.
* After the overthrow of Taliban regime India continues to work with Karzai
* Factors that affect Indias strategy are
* Taliban factor
* Lack of unity between Karzai & Western forces
* Reduction of Western troops
* Impact of Pakistans influence post western forces exit
* India expects establishment of a modern Islamic state free from Talibani & Pakistani influences as the above forces would deny India the space to work in Afghanistan
* India has so far committed US $2 Billion for reconstruction is Afghanistan and cannot turn blind eye towards such a strategically important country as it might affect the power balance in Asia
Indias work in Afghanistan so far:
* India & Afghanistan have so far signed Strategic Partnership Agreement during Karzais visit to India
* India is the fifth Bilateral largest donor to Afghanistan
* Indias assistance to Afghanistan can be categorized as 3 types
* Humanitarian Assistance(e.g. food aid )
* Infrastructure Projects
* Capacity Building measures
* Major Infra projects by India
* Construction of 218 km road from Zaranj to Delaram to facilitate movement of goods and services from Afghanistan to the Iranian border and, onward, to the Chahbahar Port (Strategic Importance for India earlier explained by Mrunal)
* Construction of the Afghan Parliament
* Construction and commissioning of Salma Dam power project (42 MW) in Herat province
* Restoration of telecommunication infrastructure in 11 provinces
Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhQRPbYQ2NfvxMhMmZT-XG__gdaDVPf9HzLmdXLXbF-Khq8Fpmrb7kqHRHTW0NM_tkQ2KjmZohl4QiVZPp0RGzNOoMZYbOwIRGyfSy2ulJsz1BdooBE46X7iZc0GqrA-tM-8rSRbalOY/s400/IndiaAfghanistan.jpg
* Education and capacity development
* Reconstruction of Habibia School, Kabul.
* 500 annual long-term university scholarships sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations for under-graduate and postgraduate studies for Afghan students in India.
* Indian Interests in Afghanistan:
* Indias Interest in Afghanistan is not just in maintaining the balance towards Pakistan it also goes in the direction of economic purposes of trade on the long run
* A stable Afghanistan would improve intercontinental trade for India through road
* By 2015, Indias trade with Europe, CIS(Commonwealth of Independent states) countries ,Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan would be about $500 billion annually.
* If 20 per cent of this trade were to be conducted through road, $100 billion of Indian trade would be passing through Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Central Asian region.
* This will greatly help North Indian states in the region of trade
* A stable Afghanistan would enable India to implement Connect Central Asia Policy of India(explained earlier by Mrunal)
* TAPI pipeline could be implemented as this could fulfill Indias energy needs(TAPI pipeline explained in Mrunal.org )
* India plans to push International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) which a stable Afghanistan can play a role through DelaramZaranj Highway(Afghanistan) via the Chabahar Port(Iran) bypassing Pakistan in the process.
* Both DelaramZaranj Highway(Afghanistan) and reach the Chabahar Port(Iran)
are funded by India
International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC):
* INSTC is a Multimodal network from India passing through Iran and thus reaching Central Asia and Europe
* The route starts with Mumbai(India) Bandar Abbas Port(Iran) Moscow(Russia) Northern Europe
* INSTC initiated by India,Russia,Iran now joined by 11 more countries Azerbaija,Armenia,Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan,Tajikistan,Turkey,Ukraine,Belarus,Oman,
Syria,Bulgaria
Source:The Hindu
Other Countries:
Pakistan:
* Pakistan plays a crucial role Afghanistans future
* Pakistans objectives are diametrically opposite to that of India
* Pakistan doesnt want Afghanistan to align with India and wants it to provide Strategic depth against India
* Pakistan has been giving safe haven for insurgent groups to gain leverage in Afghanistan.
* Pakistan also wants to train the ANSF
* The Afghanistan Pakistan relations have improved since Sharif took charge & high level envoy ,foreign policy advisor Sartaj Aziz was send to Afghanistan.
* Karzai accepted Pakistan invitation to Pakistan also attended Sharifs sworning as PM
* Afghanistan has border issues with regard to UN recognized Durrand line which Afghanistan doesnt accept
* Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) was signed between the two nations provides easier transportation via Pakistan of Afghan products
* APTTA allows dropping of Afghanistan goods to India but doesnt taking back Indian goods back to Afghanistan
Iran:
* Iran seeks to prevent USA gain too much leverage in Afghanistan as it might help USA to attack Iran on the long run
* Iran also wants to protect the Shia population in Afghanistan
* Iran is also seen to arm Taliban against USA
Central Asian States:
* Central Asian States are seen to provide key assistance to USA to fly in troops to the region
* The USA proposed New Silk Road(NSR) seeks to bring Afghanistan crossroads between Central & South Asia were Central Asia states play a pivotal role.
China:
* China has played a limited role in Afghanistan,keeping an eye on Islamic uprisings which could affect Uighur community in China
* Chinas interest has been primarily on investment in minerals and other investment oriented activities also provide some leverage for its ally Pakistan
The Future Ahead
Status of Force Agreement/Strategic Partnership:
* The USA signed strategic partnership agreement with Afghanistan yet it is different from the Status of Force Agreement (SoFA)
* Status of Force Agreement (SoFA) was earlier signed between USA & Iraq to retain its forces there.
* The current partnership agreement stops short of such conditions as it claims after the signing of the strategic partnership agreement the two countries would initiate negotiation on a Bilateral Security Agreement
* This shows lack of consensus between the two countries which could hamper peace after 2014 ,depends on the troops that stay post 2014 to understand the followup in Afghanistan
* The future of stability in Indian sub continent depends to some extend on the level troops that is retained in Afghanistan that NATO troops in Afghanistan are retained
Taliban Office:
* On June 18, 2013, with U.S. and Qatari concurrence, the Taliban formally opened its political office in Qatar, simultaneously issuing a statement refusing future ties to international terrorist groups
* Expressing willingness to eventually transition to Afghan government-Taliban talks.
* However, the Taliban violated reported understandings with the United States and Qatar by raising above the building the flag of the former Taliban regime and calling the facility the office of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Conclusion
The Future of Geopolitical situation is Indian subcontinent largely rests on the stability in Afghanistan after exit of NATO forces & how the world handles the Talibani group and Northern Alliance.
By R.Aditya
Sources:
http://www.mea.gov.in/Uploads/PublicationDocs/176_india-and-afghanistan-a-development-partnership.pdf
http://www.idsa.in/idsacomments/IranfactorinIndiasAfghanPolicy_sspattanaik_240812
http://www.idsa.in/strategicanalysis/36_4/IndiasAfghanPolicy_SmrutiPattanaik
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jun/26/nato-taliban-india-pakistan
http://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/public/Research/Asia/0813pp_indiaafghanistan.pdf
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL30588.pdf
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1652187.stm
http://www.ipcs.org/article/pakistan/bonn-ii-from-transition-to-transformation-in-afghanistan-3528.html
http://carnegieendowment.org/2013/04/26/istanbul-process-ministerial-results-and-prospects-for-future/g05j
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/22/world/nato-formally-agrees-to-transition-on-afghan-security.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
http://www.idsa.in/idsacomments/TheDelhiInvestmentSummitonAfghanistan_gsachdeva_260612
http://www.unodc.org/afghanistan/en/Events/tokyo-conference-on-afghanistan.html
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/global-corridor-will-cut-cargo-transit-time/article3474227.ece
Book:India s Neighbourhood Challenges in Next two decades by INSTITUTE FOR DEFENCE STUDIES & ANALYSES(IDSA)
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