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News: Indian concerns about the repercussions of ISI activities in Afghanistan holds little importance owing to the different interests of the regional powers. Iran, in this context, is important for India as both countries want to resist Pakistan’s domination in Afghanistan.
Why there is a conflict between Iran and Pakistan?
Both countries chose their intelligence agency to destabilize each other. Pakistan’s ISI used jihadi outfits like Jundullah and Jaish al-Adl to destabilize Iran, whereas the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) supports Baloch insurgents in Pakistan.
About the past relations between Iran and Afghanistan?
After the ISI-backed Taliban overthrew President Burhanuddin Rabbani’s ‘national unity’ government in1996, Iran supported the Northern Alliance against the Taliban.
US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, holds a significant opportunity for Iran to regain its influence in the region. However, the deterioration of the US-Iran relationship led the IRGC to support the anti-US insurgency.
Thus, Iran started hosting a liaison office between the Taliban and IRGC. IRGC.
What is Iran’s stand today?
Iran is concerned about the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Reports of the Influence of ISI and the lack of formation of an inclusive government have further heightened the concerns. The absence of Persian-speaking minority groups and exclusion of IRGC-backed senior commanders from leadership roles is of grave concern to Iran.
Iran’s pressure worked to some extent, and the Taliban announced the expansion of the interim government and included IRGC-backed commanders and the selection of ethnic Hazara as deputy minister of health.
How engagement with Iran is beneficial for India?
With India and Iran both wanting to stop the dominance of Pakistan, India must engage with Iran to secure a favorable balance in its neighborhood.
Source: This post is based on the article “Iran-Pak Rivalry In Afghanistan Works For India” published in the Times of India on 1st December 2021.
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