The latest strategy by the US to hasten the withdrawal of additional troops from Afghanistan is creating waves of concern. This development could potentially undermine the delicate peace process currently unfolding in Afghanistan.
India’s Concerns and Stance
India has been anxious that the accelerated departure of the NATO/US coalition forces from Afghanistan may inadvertently pave the way for terrorist networks, posing a significant risk to both India and Afghanistan. A UN report released in May confirmed the ongoing presence of Al Qaeda in Afghanistan, despite Taliban’s assurances to the contrary. Moreover, Al Qaeda continues its propaganda campaign in India, exploiting the differences between the Hindu majority and Muslim minority.
India voiced its apprehensions and proposed an “immediate comprehensive ceasefire” in Afghanistan at a recent United Nations Security Council meeting. During the meeting, India reiterated its commitment to reconstruction and development assistance to Afghanistan over the past couple of decades.
India’s Four-Point Requirement for Peace in Afghanistan
India highlighted four necessary conditions for enduring peace and stability in Afghanistan. The peace process must be led and owned by Afghan citizens above all, and it is crucial to have zero tolerance towards terrorism.
Next, any progress made in the past two decades should not be undone. India stressed the vital need to protect the rights of women, minorities, and vulnerable groups. Further, with its substantial investment in local infrastructure projects like the Zaranj Delaram Highway and the Afghan Parliament, India underscored the importance of these undertakings.
Lastly, India pointed out the misuse of Afghanistan’s transit rights by certain nations for political gain. This was a pointed reference to Pakistan hindering the movement of people and goods out of Afghanistan, which has significantly affected trade between India and Afghanistan.
China’s Position
China has urged foreign soldiers to depart Afghanistan responsibly, leaving no room for terrorist groups to regroup, thereby facilitating peace and reconciliation. China remains on edge that Afghanistan, a country torn by war and sharing a border with the unstable Xinjiang region of China, could turn into a hotbed for Uighur Muslim militant activities.
Uighurs, primarily a Turkic-speaking ethnic group, are confined to Xinjiang in China’s northwest region, forming one of the largest Muslim groups in this area. China alleges these militants to be engaged in a violent struggle for an independent state through bombings, sabotage and civil unrest.
Accusations against China of detaining over a million people, mostly Uyghurs, in internment camps in Xinjiang to curb religious extremism have drawn wide international criticism.
The withdrawal of US forces also coincides with its decision to lift the ban on the Uighur militant group – the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM). There are fears that ETIM, backed by al-Qaeda and once listed as a terrorist organization by UN’s 1267 counter-terrorism committee, could regroup in Afghanistan to carry out attacks in Xinjiang.
The withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan is a complex issue, impacting various nations differently. From jeopardizing the delicate peace process underway, creating a breeding ground for terrorists, to the protection of minority rights, the implications are far-reaching and could change the status quo significantly. The roles and responses of countries like India and China in this process clearly underscore the complexity of the circumstances and the difficult road ahead to achieve durable peace in Afghanistan.