Context: World Bank has approved a plan to use USD 1 billion in a frozen Afghanistan trust fund for education, agriculture, health and family programs to ease the country’s worsening humanitarian and economic crises. Current situation in Afghanistan under Taliban rule: Taliban has taken control of Afghanistan after US forces withdrawal in 2021. Current situation in Afghanistan is …
Context: According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), opium production in Afghanistan has crossed 6,000 tonnes for the 5th consecutive year. It led to an increase in the production of opiates by 8%. What were the reasons behind the increase in opium production in Afghanistan? Source of income: Taliban is involved in promoting …
Afghanistan converting into a Narco-Terrorist state – UPSC GS2 Read More »
Background: After the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban, India needs to evolve a strategy to secure its interest in the region. India recently held Delhi regional security dialogue on Afghanistan. It was attended by security chiefs of Russia, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Though Pakistan and China were also invited, they declined to attend …
What should be India’s Afghanistan Strategy? – UPSC GS2 Read More »
Context: India hosted Third Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan. The dialogue concluded with the Delhi Declaration. What are the key features of the Delhi Declaration? Strongly objected to the use of Afghan soil for planning, financing and carrying out terrorist activities. Called for collective cooperation against the menace of radicalisation, extremism, separatism and drug trafficking in the …
Afghanistan Regional Security Dialogue and Delhi Declaration – UPSC GS2 Read More »
Context: United States has withdrawn from Afghanistan and Taliban has taken control of entire country. Evolution India’s Taliban policy India’s Taliban policy has witnessed a gradual change over the past few years. In late 2018, when Moscow organised a conference which had the Taliban, members of the Afghan High Peace Council, and other countries from the region …
Context: Taliban’s possible takeover in Afghanistan threatens not just India’s diplomatic stakes in Afghanistan, but also 20 years and $3 billion worth of Indian investment in various projects — dams, roads, trade infrastructure. India’s Investment in Afghanistan: India has built vital roads, dams, electricity transmission lines and substations, schools, and hospitals among others in Afghanistan. India’s development …
India’s Investments in Afghanistan at risk – UPSC GS2 Read More »
Context: US is keen to completely withdraw its forces from Afghanistan. This might embolden Pakistan which can use Taliban against India. Why India should take part in these negotiations? May lead to peace -> more development -> prosperous neighbours -> good for India To counter China and Pakistan who are already taking part in these …
Evolving India’s stance: India’s position in the Afghan Peace process has evolved over the years. There is a subtle shift in New Delhi’s approach towards the Afghan crisis. In the 1990s and 2000s, India constantly opposed any dealings with the Taliban. In 2018 during the time when Russia hosted Afghan and Taliban talks, India had …
Role for India in Afghan Peace Process – UPSC GS2 Read More »
The Taliban is a Sunni Islamic fundamentalist political movement in Afghanistan which is at present waging war within that country. It was founded in 1994 and from 1996 to 2001, it was governing the country enforcing a strict interpretation of Islamic or Sharia law. Many leading Muslims as well as much of the international community …