Recently, the National Security Advisor (NSA) of India visited Afghanistan. The visit was intended for strategic discussions with the leadership in Kabul.
Significance of the Visit
This visit underlines a significant episode as it’s the first by any senior Indian official since the initiation of Intra-Afghan Talks. The Intra-Afghan dialogue refers to negotiation conferences between the Taliban and the Afghan High Council for National Reconciliation. Initiated in Doha in 2020, these negotiations aim at ending a prolonged conflict and establishing a political settlement.
Key Points Discussed
Crucial issues discussed during the visit majorly revolved around the Peace Process, commencement of the 2nd round of Intra-Afghan talks, and India’s consequential role in establishing peace in Afghanistan. Discussions also emphasized synchronizing initiatives to combat terrorism and maintain tranquility in the region, especially after the withdrawal of US troops post Doha Peace Pact signed in 2020.
Doha Peace Pact
In February 2020, the USA and Taliban signed a vital agreement in Doha, Qatar. The pact called for a complete withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan within 14 months and also the release of imprisoned Taliban members. The Taliban assured to prevent Jihadist organizations like al-Qaeda and the Islamic State from utilizing Afghanistan as their base. They also agreed upon initiating direct talks with the Afghan government.
India’s Role in Establishing Peace
By participating in the inaugural intra-Afghan dialogue, India exhibited its readiness to engage with all Afghan parties, including the Taliban, to secure peace in Kabul. The country communicated three key prerequisites – the peace process must be Afghan-managed, Afghan-owned, and Afghan-led; it must respect Afghanistan’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity; and it must advocate for human rights and democracy. India, having invested significant resources in Afghanistan’s development, has a crucial stake in the nation’s stability.
Importance of a Stable Afghanistan for India
For India, a stable Afghanistan government is a strategic asset concerning Pakistan. An increased role for the Taliban and their territorial control expansion can be highly alarming for India as Taliban’s connection with Islamabad is widely recognized. Moreover, the withdrawal of US troops might encourage anti-India terrorist outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba or Jaish-e-Mohammed to proliferate.
India’s Support to the Doha Agreement and Way Forward
India reaffirmed its support to the Doha Agreement 2020 and intra-Afghan peace negotiations. It reiterated its commitment to Afghanistan’s pursuit of sustainable peace and reconciliation. The vision of India for a sovereign, united, stable, plural, and democratic Afghanistan is shared by the Afghan population across ethnic and provincial lines. To make sure that the vacuum created by the USA withdrawal doesn’t lead to losing the progress made during the last two decades, India needs to continue its active engagement and collaborate with similar forces in the region.