The Rise of Talibs

What is the Taliban?

Taliban, essentially a fundamentalist Islamist politico-religious movement based in Afghanistan, engages in militant activities, to carry out Jihad (holy war). Consisting mainly of Pashtuns and other tribal groups like Tajiks and Uzbeks, they not only allude to religious conflicts but tribal conflicts as well.

Background

Originally formed to counter USSR, the group traces its origin in its support by Pakistan (training of mujahideen), Saudi Arabia (funding), and the US (weaponry). However, with the fall of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan by 1992, the Taliban finally took over the territory by 1996.

Mean-end continuum conflict

Driven by the ideology of Deobandi Islamist beliefs, they strictly enforced Sharia laws via terror attacks, Jihadi menace, targeted assassinations, and curtailing human rights. The ends they justified as being fair in their heads were achieved through unfair means.

U-turn

However, this continued for five years, and things took a drastic turn in September 2001 when the US intervened (post the 9/11 attacks in the US). Nonetheless, over time, fighting for twenty years, for now, the US had spent a lot of blood and money in the war-torn country, with a lot of US soldiers sacrificing their lives over all these years. Consequently, this culminated in the Doha talks (February 2020) signing a peace deal with the Taliban. However, what had been signed was not a peace deal, rather a 'Managed US exit' - the strategic defeat of the US, in more or less the same way the US had abandoned South Vietnam and Kurds.

Major stakeholders

In this entire issue, various nations have their interests in Afghanistan.

The Afghan government, which has been wanting to ensure a stable and peaceful country through elections and working with the international community, had itself remained politically disunited (conflicts between Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah). Moreover, recently Ghani fleeing the country as the Taliban took over, reflects the inefficient political leadership there. Similarly, the US has been seeking a respectful exit. China seeks to exploit the rich natural reserves of Afghanistan and to secure its investment in the Af-Pak region to maximize its strategic gains. Pakistan wants to maintain its strategic depth in Afghanistan (doing so via the Haqqani network). Iran seeks peaceful borders, protecting the Hazaras by engaging in active dialogue with the Taliban.

India's role

India has been a major donor in Afghanistan, providing more than $3 billion of humanitarian assistance. India has also constructed its Parliament, strategic roads, Salma dam, Shahtoot dam, etc. Besides, India has been providing scholarships to thousands of Afghan students, along with building several schools, hospitals, and community development centers for the empowerment of children, women and thus ensuring their security.

Interestingly, India has been so widely popular in Afghanistan that during the earlier Taliban regime, where anybody who was caught watching Indian movies would be flogged publicly, still, the shopkeepers there held onto our movies, songs.

Challenges

Now, post US withdrawal the challenges have grown manifold, having severe repercussions for women and children. In nutshell, the green shoots of democracy that were once visible have again been extinguished.

In the Indian context, there are challenges concerning hindrance for trade through the Chabahar route and the TAPI pipeline, both are likely to impact Indian connectivity with Central Asia. Our bilateral trade is likely to suffer. Moreover, the major concern of India currently is the growing role of Pakistan and the use of Afghanistan soil as a base for terror against its neighboring countries, especially the Kashmir region of India.

Amidst all this, however, the changing approach of India can't be underemphasized. Undoubtedly, India has always advocated for an Afghan-led, Afghan-controlled, and Afghan-monitored regime, however, lately it has taken a subtle stand with regards to the Taliban also.

What should be done?

Of course, we need not endorse the Taliban, however, India needs to be dynamic in its diplomatic approach and engage with various stakeholders to stay relevant there. By making the Taliban realize that compromises in the multi-ethnic nations are important, India can fund its goodwill there.

At the same time, Pakistan should be brought under pressure, not to embolden the Taliban.

Tangible demonstrations of commitment are required from all stakeholders towards a genuine political settlement in Afghanistan.

After all, what happens in Afghanistan concerns us, as the South Asian region is crucial for us!

Written by Mehak Sharma (Guest Contributor)