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Heart of Asia Conference: Afghanistan Crisis

Posted on March 31, 2021 by admin1  37

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Recently, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar attended the 9th Ministerial Conference of Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process on Afghanistan in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Heart of Asia: Istanbul Process (HoA-IP) Initiative

  • It is an initiative of Afghanistan and Turkey, which was officially launched at a conference hosted by Turkey in Istanbul in 2011.
  • Since then, Afghanistan has been supported by 14 Participating Countries of the Heart of Asia Region, 16 Supporting Countries beyond the region and 12 Regional and International Organizations are leading and coordinating this Process.
  • The Directorate General for Regional Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan is the De facto Secretariat.
  • The geographical area covering the 15 Participating Countries of the HoA-IP is defined as the Heart of Asia Region.
  • It is one of the biggest regions in the world with a collective geographical area covering around 27% of the land area of the Earth.
  • Purpose: Reaffirming commitment to the principles, objectives, and outcomes enshrined in the Declarations for promoting peace, security, and prosperity in Afghanistan and the Heart of Asia Region.
    • Reaffirming that the HoA-IP is an important platform led by Afghanistan for enhancing dialogue and building trust among regional countries.
    • Admiring the cooperation and solidarity of the countries and organizations participating in the HoA-IP, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the assistance provided

Outcomes of 9th Ministerial Conference

  • Peace, Political and Security Cooperation: It recognised the importance and contributions of neighboring countries and regional and international partners in negotiations & peace process in Afghanistan.
    • Long-term stability and prosperity in the region require peace and security in Afghanistan and it is a shared responsibility of the international community.
    • It welcomes the peace process through a meaningful peace negotiation, including the ongoing negotiations in Doha, the Moscow “Troika plus” meeting.
  • Combating Terrorism: Determined to counter all forms and manifestations of terrorism and extremism by reinforcing our collective efforts in accordance with the UN Charter and obligations under international law
  • Dealing drug menace: Declaration highlights the urgency to respond to the nexus between drug menace and its financial support for terrorist entities in Afghanistan.
    • Countries should recognize the need for effective de-radicalisation of youth.
  • Economic Cooperation: The conference acknowledged the historical and present role of Afghanistan as a land bridge in promoting regional connectivity and economic integration in the HoA Region. For example International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC),  Chabahar Port, Air Freight Corridor etc.
  • Regional and International Organizations: Recognize the important role of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group, ECO, CICA, CAREC and SAARC as platforms for cooperation between Afghanistan and the region
    • Recognize the central and impartial role of the United Nations in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan
  • Confidence Building Measures: Endorse the Implementation Plan for the new Women Empowerment CBM and the amended Implementation Plan for Disaster Management and Environmental Protection CBM, and appreciate the work done by the co-chairs in regards;
  • India’s Points in conference:  A stable, sovereign and peaceful Afghanistan is truly the basis for peace and progress in our region.
    • For a durable peace in Afghanistan, what we need is a genuine ‘double peace’, that is, peace within Afghanistan and peace around Afghanistan.
    • India has been supportive of all the efforts being made to accelerate the dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban, including intra-Afghan negotiations.
    • India will continue to work on improving Afghanistan’s connectivity with the outside world. Projects like the Chabahar Port in Iran and the dedicated Air Freight Corridor between the cities of India and Afghanistan are part of our efforts.

Background of Afghanistan Crisis

  • The Afghan war dates back to 1978 when communist government was established in Afghanistan.
  • Insurgency started against communist government led by the Mujahideen and Soviet Union entered Afghanistan in 1979 with troops to protect the communist government.
  • Since then Afghanistan has been in a state of turmoil for the last 40 years including a Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 and withdrawal in 1989.
  • The Taliban, ultraconservative political and religious faction that emerged in Afghanistan, came to power in 1996 and were later ousted from power by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in an effort to counter Al-Qaeda in 2001.
  • The Taliban has steadily expanded its reach since U.S. and NATO forces formally concluded their combat mission recently and now it controls more than 14 districts (4% of the country).
  • The problem further aggravated due to various other factors like Taliban getting support from the Pakistan’s security agencies, failure of USA’s strategy in dealing both Pakistan and Afghanistan, rise of Islamic State and other socio-economic factors (multiple tribes like Pashtuns, Turks and Persians and each dominant in different regions assert their own traditions).

                                                            Pic Source: Economist

India-Afghanistan Relations

  • India and Afghanistan have a strong relationship based on historical and cultural links.
  • The relationship has its foundations in the historical contacts and exchanges between the people. Both have interacted with each other through trade and commerce, peacefully coexisting on the basis of their shared cultural values and commonalities.
  • Presently, there are a lot of Indian Diaspora in the country.

Significance of Afghanistan for India

    • Economic Cooperation: Afghanistan serves India’s security and economic interests as it will help to counter the Pakistani influence in the region.
      • Afghanistan is home to resource deposits worth one trillion dollars, according to the US Geological Survey.
      • Various infrastructure projects are underway like TAPI pipeline, INSTC, dedicated air coordinator etc.
    • Security: A stable government is crucial to establish peace in the region within and outside. The  various projects like pipeline project TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India), which seeks to connect an energy-rich Central to South Asia, will be possible only if there is peace in Afghanistan.
    • Gateway to central Asia: India needs Afghanistan for accessing the landlocked Central Asian countries that border Afghanistan.

Recent Developments

    • Infrastructure: India is cooperating with Afghanistan and Iran for development of the Chabahar Port which provides an alternative route to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
      • India and Afghanistan establish Direct Air Freight Corridor. It will provide Afghanistan, a landlocked country, greater access to markets in India, and will allow Afghan businessmen to leverage India’s economic growth and trade networks for its benefit.
      • Recently, India has made the following demands for inclusion of Afghanistan and Uzbekistan in the 13-nation International North South Transport Corridor.
      • International North South Transport Corridor is a 7,200-km-long multi-mode network of ship, rail, and road route for moving freight. Regions involved: India, Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe.
    • Defence: India aids the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces in fighting the scourge of terrorism.
      • Recently, India delivered Mi-24V Attack Helicopters to Afghanistan.
    • Trade: Bilateral trade between India and Afghanistan has crossed the US$1.5 billion mark in the previous financial year (2019-2020).
      • India’s exports to Afghanistan almost touched US$ 1 billion.
      • India and Afghanistan signed a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) in March 2003 under which India allowed substantial duty concessions, ranging from 50% to 100%, to certain categories of Afghan products.
    • Cultural: Afghanistan has been an important trading and craft centre for over 2000 years connecting the civilizations of Persia, Central Asia with India.
      • In the field of music, in particular, most Afghan musicians were trained in the Patiala Gharana. Today, Indian films, songs and TV serials are popular with the masses.

Conclusion

  • It is necessary for Indian to assist Afghanistan in building sound political structures, a strong military and economy, along with human resources.
  • India needs to enhance its current assistance to Afghanistan given the growing security challenges and economic difficulties.
  • India needs to take a tough decision to address the growing threat in Afghanistan while keeping in mind its own strategic interests.

Source: ME

 
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