India-Taliban hold talks

India-Taliban hold talks

News: For the first time since the Taliban takeover, India has sent an official delegation to Afghanistan, led by J.P. Singh, joint secretary at MEA.

Point of discussion:
• Resumption of stalled infrastructure projects, activation of diplomatic ties, and restarting the issue of visas for Afghan students and patients.

India’s stance on Afghanistan post-Taliban takeover
• Under India’s presidency, UNSC adopted resolution 2593. It stated that the territory of Afghanistan is not to be used to threaten any country or shelter terrorists.
• Participated in the UN High-Level Meeting on the Humanitarian Situation in Afghanistan held in September. In this meeting, India called for normalisation of regular commercial operations of Kabul airport which could help the flow of relief material to Afghans.
• India hosted the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan in November 2021.

Why stability is desired in Afghanistan?
• Can have spill over to Neighbouring central Asian countries like Tajikistan, Uzbekistan etc
• Taliban resurgence will revive extremism in the region and the region can become a safe sanctuary for Let,ISIS etc.
• Civil war in Afghanistan will lead to a refugee crisis in Central Asia and beyond.
• Afghanistan’s stability will help the Central Asian countries with the shortest access to the seaports of the Indian ocean.
• Afghanistan has been an important link in the regional trade, cultural, playing the role of a connecting bridge for Central and the rest of the world.
 

Why is India now engaging with Taliban?
• The Taliban holds a significant presence in Afghanistan. We cannot afford to ignore them anymore.
• India’s investment in Afghanistan is worth around $3 Billion which makes it imperative to safeguard our investments and hence opening up communication lines with the Taliban.
• Taliban’s constant engagement with Pakistan will be detrimental to peace in the region. To keep Pakistan at bay, we must engage with Taliban.
• If India does not engage now Russia, Iran, Pakistan and China will emerge as the shapers of Afghanistan’s political and geopolitical destiny, which for sure will be detrimental to Indian interests.

Way Forward:
• There is a collective need to act for the safety of Afghan civilians by checking violence by Taliban
• Afghanistan should be given enough space in Central Asian architectures like SCO (Shanghai cooperation organisation)
• The USA, Iran, China, and Russia should actively involve India to maintain stability in Afghanistan.
• Unified action for the refugee crisis if it arises.
• Indian engagement with Taliban to maintain peace with immediate neighbors.