INDIA's NEW AFGHAN POLICY

 As India braces itself for a Taliban-dominated regime in Afghanistan, India's role in Kabul needs to be very well crafted and decisive. It also needs to keep in mind the role of Pakistan and its ISI and their deep-rooted connections in Afghanistan. 

New Delhi is deeply concerned about the unfavorable conditions in Afghanistan due to the hasty pull out of the US Government and the NATO Forces. It is very much evident in External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's recent visit to Russia and Iran. The Indian Government and its foreign minister, busy convincing its neighbors and their allies to explain the importance of the region and the entity which holds the major deciding power in Afghanistan.

Though the Taliban administration has assured the Indian authorities that the Taliban respects India and its sovereignty but India is worried about the fact that Pakistan has its deep roots embedded within the Taliban and its contacts. The worry is that the ISI can recruit Talibani fighters and send them to fight against the Indian forces along the most disputed border between India and Pakistan (the LOC).

Last week, Pakistan taunted India over its decision to temporarily close consulates in Afghanistan with fighting intensifying and the Taliban gaining control of much of the country. Pakistan Army spokesperson indirectly addressed India as “spoilers” in Afghanistan saying that India’s investment was “sinking” in the country with the return of the Taliban.

For the record, India has backed Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani like the rest of the world which opposes terrorism. India has been a partner in Afghanistan’s reconstruction after the country was ravaged during the previous phase of civil war between the Taliban and the government-backed forces.

The Northern Alliance 

The way forward as of now is the Idea behind the "Northern Alliance". It was an alliance formed in 1996 when Taliban took over the governance in Afghanistan. The alliance consisted of countries like India, Russia, Turkey and Iran, majorly to contain the spread of Taliban around the area.

The alliance worked till 2001 until the US and NATO forces took over Afghanistan post 9/11. But in recent update, Russian Ambassador to India has strictly said that Russia is not going to help India in any matters related to Taliban, which was a major diplomatic setback for New Delhi as EAM Dr. Jaishankar recently met his counterpart.

In the current situation the Taliban has acquired almost 85% of Afghanistan and is steadily moving itself towards Kabul. If Taliban takes over Afghanistan yet again, Sharia law will be implemented and democracy of Afghanistan would go to drains. 

Females won't be able to step out of their homes alone, there would be forced conversions, rapes and marriages. The Taliban has already started demanding girls of age 15 years for marriage. Fearing this a major chunk of population is fleeing to neighboring states.

Recently a Pulitzer Prize winner Indian national and a Reuters employee was killed in a terrorist attack on Pakistan - Afghanistan border while covering the developments there between the skirmishes between Taliban and Afghan forces.

For Afghanistan, to be a democratic country, the Ashraf Ghani government needs to keep its foot tight. But the recent rocket attacks near the Presidential Palace where along with the President other dignitaries and high ranking officials in the country were offering prayers, does show that Taliban has stepped in close to Kabul.

The peace process and talks between the Afghan government and Taliban is the last resort left or else Afghanistan can become the next Syria in South Asia.