“The Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) has emerged as a very potent anti-Islamic State (IS) force and makes it a progressive alternative to the perverse world view of IS.” Elaborate and examine India’s position on Kurdish movement. (200 Words)
After the end of first world war, Ottoman empire was disintegrated and Allied power created Kurdistan for the Kurds who are nomads spreads across Syria, Iraq, Iran, Turkey. But this never came in to picture and since then Kurds have been demanding autonomy and ultimately Independent Kurdistan which constitutes Northern Iraq, Southeast turkey, small part of North and NE Syria and NW Iran.
The YPG not only challenges the IS militarily but also acts as a viable alternative to its political ideology. The Kurds are social liberals with a commitment to gender equality and secularism which makes them a much better alternative to the IS.
Due to India’s close relations with Iraq and an aversion to promoting secessionist movements, India has always supported a unified Iraq and avoided any contacts with regional Kurdish groups. However, in view of the changing circumstances, India could recalibrate its policies.
The Kurdish region is oil rich, has a good economy and is relatively stable. Due to the prominent role of Kurds in fighting IS, their demands for increased autonomy would be difficult to reject. Hence, there is a good chance that in the near future an autonomous Kurdish region might emerge as the first step towards an Independent state.
India must consider its own interests and engage proactively with such a group while balancing its relations with Iraq to ensure strong relations with a new state should it be established.