India bats for timely Afghanistan polls amid talks between US & Taliban

India bats for timely Afghanistan polls amid talks between US & Taliban

International relation

News: India bats for timely elections in Afghanistan amid talks between US and Taliban.

Facts:

India’s concerns about democratic elections process:

• India is concerned that the ongoing negotiations between US and Taliban may put pressure on the upcoming presidential elections in Afghanistan, scheduled for July.
• Though India supports “inclusive political settlement” which may take time but meanwhile presidential elections in Afghanistan take place as per schedule in July 2019.

India’s concerns about terror havens:

• India worries that in hurry to evacuate from Afghanistan US may ignore rooting out terror sanctuaries in Pakistan, hence for enduring peace and stability in Afghanistan, the terror safe havens should be eliminated.
• As per reports, Taliban has committed to not provide a sanctuary for Al Qaeda and other terror groups like ISIS.
• But there is no monitoring mechanism to check this commitment and Pakistan continues to support and nurture such groups against India.

Not wanting to be left out in Afghan polity deliberations, India participates in all kinds of formats and talks which can bring peace and security in the region. But there is a need to do more in order to ensure that India’s interests would be maintained.