In recent news, the USA President proposed a fresh approach to peace in Afghanistan through a new initiative. This plan includes organizing a regional conference under the auspices of the United Nations featuring the foreign ministers of several nations including the USA, India, Russia, China, Pakistan, and Iran. The objective is to deliberate over a unified strategy for Afghanistan in the pursuit of peace.
The Key Points of the Peace Initiative
This peace initiative has kept open the prospect of an extended stay for USA troops currently stationed in Afghanistan. Initially, under the USA-Taliban Agreement, all troops were to be withdrawn by May 2021. Nevertheless, the USA is urging the Taliban to accept a sudden agreement to lower violence levels for 90 days to create room for peace talks.
The USA also expressed that it does not intend to impose terms on Afghan parties but instead facilitate an inclusive interim government. The plan also entails agreement on “foundational principles” for the formation of a new political infrastructure and a “permanent and comprehensive ceasefire”.
Turkey also has a role to play in this initiative as the USA has requested the country to host a meeting between the Afghan government and the Taliban to decide on a peace settlement.
India’s Role in the Peace Process
The United States recognizes India as a crucial contributor to the peace process. This South Asian nation supports inclusive, Afghan-led, and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan. India has made significant investments in infrastructure development, security force training, and equipment supply.
It is in India’s interest to foster stability in Afghanistan due to its considerable resource investment in the country’s development. India also aims to influence terms related to terrorism, violence, women’s rights, and democratic values in the country.
Economic & Strategic Interest of India in Afghanistan
From an economic and strategic perspective, Afghanistan serves as a gateway to Central Asian republics known for their oil and mineral wealth. Control over Afghanistan equates to control of the land routes connecting India and Central Asia.
India undertakes massive reconstruction projects in Afghanistan, providing Indian companies with significant opportunities. These projects influence India’s position in Afghanistan and include the Afghan Parliament, the Zaranj-Delaram Highway, and the Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam (Salma Dam). With over $3 billion invested in these projects, India has fortified its standing in Afghanistan.
Security Interests & Challenges
From a security standpoint, India has suffered from state-sponsored terrorism originating from several Pakistan-backed terrorist groups operating in the region. Therefore, establishing a friendly government in Afghanistan could aid India in combating this terrorism.
However, the peace process faces some challenges as both the Afghan government and the Taliban seem resistant to power-sharing. The Taliban is also unlikely to abandon its sanctuaries in Pakistan or accept any changes in the strict Islamic system it firm on enforcing.
The Way Forward
An independent, sovereign, democratic, pluralistic, and inclusive Afghanistan is vital for regional peace and stability. To accomplish this, the Afghan peace process must be led, owned, and controlled by Afghanistan itself. There also needs to be a global effort to combat terrorism, making it more imperative to adopt the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (proposed by India at UN in 1996).
Although the new initiative by the USA represents a positive step, the path forward will demand tolerance and compromise from all parties. Achieving enduring peace in Afghanistan will require patience and concessions from all involved parties.
