Why did Afghan want To Keep India In Its Loop?

Last updated on March 25th, 2021 at 09:17 am

The Afghani counterpart of External Affairs Mohammed Haneef Atmar has been in India to meet and discuss with Minister S. Jaishankar about the ongoing battle to establish peace in the war-torn Afghanistan. Indeed, India is being seen as someone who is willing to play the main role in peacekeeping efforts. Recently, the US was able to get India a seat on the table as China and Russia were trying their best to keep the Centre out of the peace-keeping discussions. 

The ones to be included in the roadmap design for the initially included Russia, China, US, Pakistan and Iran. But India’s separate diplomacy went a long way in establishing its credibility as a country that was serious about playing a part in seeing that peace was restored in Afghanistan. That has meant many back and forth meetings between India and Afghanistan officials and counterparts. 

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According to a formal statement made by the Afghani Foreign ministry about the visiting delegation to India, “The purpose of Mr. Atmar and his accompanying delegation’s visit to India is to discuss bilateral relations, strengthen regional and international consensus on the Afghan peace process, and enhance cooperation.”

Afghanistan’s visit to India is proof of the fact that it sees India’s participation as a key one after the Taliban has agreed to an exchange deal with the Trump government in 2020. The Biden administration is currently contemplating whether the US troops really need to be still stationed or can be recalled by May 01. But a recent visit by the Secretary of Defence Llyod James Austin III has shown some ray of hope of extension. However, Afghanistan has its reasons to feel vulnerable and would like to inform a good friend (India), well in time. 

If the US does recall its troops till the end of 2021, India has a tough battle to fight. It has set out investment plans in Afghanistan and has a role to play in controlling the Pakistani-led Taliban encouraged intelligence gathering that acts as a tunnel for further terrorism activities worldwide. 

It is, therefore, become imperative that India remains in the forefront of the discussions that would lead to a peaceful restoration of democracy that is Afghan-led.