India has enjoyed friendly relations and deep cultural connections with the people of Afghanistan since ancient times. Indo-Afghan relation’s bilateral ties include elements of civilizational, emotional and strategic imperatives and bonds. But, in the recent past there has been realignment in Afghanistan’s policy which India took to maintaining a distance in its peace process.
Recent developments in Afghan vis a vis Pakistan:
- Withering peace talks (failed negotiations with Taliban) and rise in insurgent attacks in Kabul.
- In April, this year Afghan president Ghani warned Pakistan that if it continues to block trade with India, Kabul would consider blocking Pakistan’s own access to Central Asia.
Widening rift an opportunity for India – new life into the strategic partnership:
- Afghanistan itself is embracing India after losing faith in Pakistan as an interlocutor of peace process.
- Afghanistan is home to resource deposits worth one trillion dollars, which India can help tap.
- It is strategically very important to have an ally on the other side of India’s Hostile neighbor, to keep the pressure on.
- India will be in a better position to help Afghanistan out in its fight against Taliban in the absence of US armed help.
- Afghanistan will provide a new route to India for access into central Asian countries.
- Befriending Afghan would not help India in being a regional power but also countering China’s extra influence in the region.
India-Afghanistan relations:
- Need for bold and dynamic role for India in Afghan:
- Strategic interests : Afghanistan provides connectivity and a trade corridor for India into the Central Asian region of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, which has been blocked due to Pakistan’s refusal to grant transit rights.
- Security concerns: Islamic fundamentalists and terrorist groups operating from Pak-Afghan border region have links with terrorist groups in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and in India.
- Cautious and balanced approach:
- Indian activities might largely benefit the Afghan people but increasing Indian influence in Afghanistan is likely to exacerbate regional tensions and encourage Pakistani countermeasures.
Pak-Afghan relations’ bilateral ties are a complex combination of cooperation, mistrust and divergence. Now post 2014 NATO troops withdrawal and with the recent rifts in Pak-Afghan relations, Afghanistan is openly seeking India’s help.India should play a leading role in articulating global consensus and building a regional mechanism on terrorism as well as strengthening regional connectivity.
