Two years back Trump, the thenPresident of USA, invited India to play an active role in Afghanistan and even mocked Modi for his silence on this matter, thereafter, in 2021, India was not even invited by Russia to attend a meeting that was to decide the fate of Afghanistan.
Barely a month had gone after that meeting , Kabul was captured by Pakistan’s proxy Taliban. During this Blitzkrieg of Taliban, when every Nation had closed down their embassies in Kabul and escaped to safe havens, there were only two embassies which were functional ; Russian and Chinese.
India allowed itself to be a Non player in this drama played in its neighbourhood, despite its own security concerns.
Although the troika; Pakistan, China and Russia (PCR) was able to ensure Taliban victory but garnering world support in its favour is becoming little difficult. And so since then they are devising newer techniques and strategies to legitimize the Taliban regime.
Sometimes they claim that this Taliban regime is different from the previous one and when they find that its real face is getting exposed they appeal recognition for Taliban for the peace in the subcontinent and when nothing has worked they are now demanding funds to meet the humanitarian crisis.
The recent meet organised by this troika in Moscow which was attended by India and the Taliban Dy PM also was once again an attempt to somehow legitimise the Taliban regime even if it was in the guise of Humanitarian crisis.
The Humanitarian crisis is a facade behind which lies their evil design to legitmise the Taliban regime.
Does India realise this that sharing table with Taliban amounts to that ?
Was the PCR not aware that once US withdraws and Taliban is allowed to capture Afghanistan there will surely be a crisis?
Why did the troika support such a regime which does not have the means to Govern and is a terror organization which will cause innumerable miseries to the minorities who do not believe in the Sunni Islam.
The Shia hazras are escaping, the Hindus and Sikhs are running away and their places of worship are being vandalized in Afghanistan. Recently , on 5th Oct some 15 terrorists entered Gurdwara and tied up the guards. The Hindu and Sikh community are in a dire situation and have to practically make a choice between options of "converting to Sunni Islam or run away" from Afghanistan, . Already hundreds of them have reached India.
And surprisingly the troika(PCR) is hell bent to legitimize this cruel Regime.
Given the past experience of almost 30 years dealing with Jehadis, and their mentors (Pakistan), the following aspects are crystal clear;
- The Taliban regime will never allow diversity in the Afghan state and society.
- Taliban regime will always remain a proxy of Pakistan and incase any Taliban leader tries to charter his own course will either be eliminated by ISI or sidelined.
- Sooner or later some of the Taliban fighters will appear in Kashmir. Rather some of them might have already arrived as the recent operations in Mendhar/Surnakote indicate. The operation to nab/eliminate terrorists holed up in the jungles of Mendhar/Surankote has been going on for last 10 days and already Indian army has lost 9 men. These must surely be hardy Terrorists who have been able not only to evade arrest but also engage and inflict casualties on Indian army.
- Taliban will undoubtedly tow Pakistan’s line on Kashmir issue and will in the long run be always threat to India’s security.
- Was it not known to Indian Policy makers that if and when USA withdraws from Afghanistan it is certain that Taliban will be pushed and provided all possible support by Pakistan to capture Afghanistan.
The above aspects were all known to the Indian policy makers and none of the developments should have come as a surprise to them, then the issue arises;
- Why did they not accept Trump’s offer or at least negotiated a best deal to put Indian Boots in Afghanistan.
- Why India is now attending meets called by troika in which even Taliban is present.
- Why are we associating ourselves with the troika ; China-Russia and Pakistan who are hell bent to legitimize the Taliban regime which has captured Afghanistan , flouted the terms and conditions of the agreement , and driven all minorities from Afghanistan and brought miseries to millions.
It does not matter if India was indecisive and failed to avail the opportunity/offer made by Trump in past because it had once burnt its fingers in Srilanka But now is the time to remain firm Mr PM and not buckle under any pressure or succumb to any machinations of this troika(PCR).
India come what may must remain firm and try its level best to stop the TROIKA (PCR)from LEGITIMSING TALIBAN REGIME. And it should rather stand by the side of those Afghans who have escaped from the terror of Taliban and try to rally them together and not allow Taliban to have its way.
Author. Col N Bhatnagar is an alumnus of NDA, Prestigious Def Services Staff College and XLRI. He served in Indian army as an Infantry Officer in all parts of the country and also in Srilanka and has also worked with Reputed Companies - Power, Hospitality and Health Care sector . He has also worked as a National Assesssor of CII for its CII-EXIM Bank Award and HR Excellence award. He has also authored Three Books.
Disclaimer. The views expressed are of Author.