NSA MEETING ON AFGHANISTAN IN DELHI

THE CONTEXT: The Third Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan was held in New Delhi on 10 November 2021 in an expanded format. The NSA of several neighboring countries participated in the event and the Taliban welcomed it. IN this article, let us understand the importance of the Delhi Declaration and the associated issues.

BASICS OF THE DELHI DECLARATION

• Participants: All Afghan neighbors such as Pakistan, Tajikistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Russia and China were invited.
• The reason behind the Meet: The Taliban takeover after the USA withdrawal from Afghanistan has raised safety concerns for the neighboring states, and thus to address them, the meeting was held.
• KEY PROBLEM: Terrorism
• HIGHLIGHT: Condemned Terrorism in all forms and reaffirmed commitment to combat Terrorism including its financing, dismantling of terrorist infrastructure, and countering radicalization.
• KEY PROBLEM: Radicalisation
• HIGHLIGHT: The meeting condemned the terrorist attacks in Kunduz, Kandahar, and Kabul. Called for collective cooperation against the menace of radicalization, extremism, separatism, and drug trafficking in the region.
• KEY PROBLEM: Humanitarian Assistance
• HIGHLIGHT: Strong support for a peaceful, secure, and stable Afghanistan was expressed while emphasizing the respect for sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and non-interference in its internal affairs. Expressed concern over the deteriorating socio-economic and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, and underlined the need to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. Humanitarian assistance should be provided in an unimpeded, direct, and assured manner to Afghanistan.
• KEY PROBLEM: Form of Government
• HIGHLIGHT: Forming an open and truly inclusive government that represents the will of all the people of Afghanistan and has representation from all sections of their society. The Central Role of the UN in solving the Afghan problem was reaffirmed.

HIGHLIGHTS OF DELHI DECLARATION

RESPONSES BY NATIONS

1. Russia: Russia raised the concern that the multiple dialogues on the Afghan future can complicate the already complex situation of Afghanistan.
2. Pakistan and China: The nations stay away from the discussion.
3. Afghan representation: There was no representation of the Afghan government or Taliban. Even though they praised the dialogue.
4. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan: The two nations didn’t mention Terrorism in their opening statements.

WHY DELHI DECLARATION MATTER? AN ANALYSIS

1. Gave Voice to Indian Concerns: Since India has not been an invitee to other meetings on the Afghan future, the Delhi declaration gave a voice to Indian concern especially on terrorism radicalization and the need for an inclusive government.
2. Linkage of Humanitarian Assistance with Terrorism: While Pakistan and China are pushing for humanitarian assistance so as to seek recognition for the Taliban regime, Delhi Declaration linked it to Terrorism, and thus when seen in its totality, the declaration says that any recognition of the Taliban regime will mean countering Terrorism.
3. Recognition of Pakistan-sponsored Terrorism: The unanimous acceptance of the fear of Terrorism rising from Afghanistan on an Indian platform by the regional countries showed the shared fear of Pakistan-sponsored Terrorism.

PROBLEMS WITH DELHI DECLARATION

1. IMPRACTICAL: Even though the declaration sounds pious, it is near impossible for any of the eight countries to provide ‘unimpeded, direct and assured’ humanitarian assistance.
2. No outcome on Visas and Student education: No outcome came on visas to Afghanistan citizens and the plight of students that were studying in Indian universities was ignored.
3. India-Iran Axis: India has failed to bring Iran on its side and against the Taliban rise. The India-Iran axis is the only axis at the moment that can put weight against the Taliban regime.

OTHER DISCUSSIONS ON AFGHANISTAN’ FUTURE

1. Troika Plus Meeting: It is a U.S, Russia, China, and Pakistan grouping on the Afghanistan peace process.
2. Moscow Format: Set up by Russia in 2017 involves six parties namely Russia, India, Afghanistan, Iran, China, and Pakistan.

THE WAY FORWARD

1. Creation of Consensus with other nations: India needs to create a consensus with other nations on Afghanistan as only through consensus we can ensure that Afghanistan doesn’t become a safe haven for terrorists.
2. Lead with Example: India in the dialogue asked for uninterrupted humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan but itself has not contributed in this regard. India needs to lead by example.
3. Define India’s view of Afghan: India needs to define the role to be played by Afghanistan. Without demarcating it, we can’t make a consensus in this regard.

THE CONCLUSION: Delhi Declaration on Afghanistan is an important step towards a coordinated regional response to the Afghan crisis. It showed India’s readiness to coordinate India’s Afghan policy with that of regional countries while asserting its role as the key interlocutor. The key challenge now remains at the conversion of the pledges into practice.