India-Afghanistan Relations: Development and Strategic Concerns
TOPIC CLASSIFICATION
Subject: International Relations — Neighbourhood Policy — Bilateral Relations
Sub-topic: India-Afghanistan Relations — Historical Ties (1950 Treaty of Friendship, Cultural Links), India's Development Assistance ($3B+ since 2001 — Largest Regional Donor), Infrastructure Projects (Salma Dam, Afghan Parliament, Zaranj-Delaram Highway, Stor Palace Restoration), Trade and Connectivity (Chabahar Port, Air Corridor, Afghanistan-India trade), Post-2021 Taliban Takeover (Evacuation, Humanitarian Aid, India's Taliban Diplomacy — Technical Team in Kabul), Security Concerns (Pakistan's use of Afghan soil, terrorism — Haqqani Network, ISIS-K, LeT), Strategic Competition with Pakistan in Afghanistan, India's Afghanistan Policy — 'Pro-Afghan' (Engaging with Taliban government but not recognising it), UN and Multilateral Fora (India's role in UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan — UNAMA).
Mains GS Paper-II: International Relations — India's neighbourhood policy — Afghanistan's stability and its impact on India's security — development diplomacy.
EXAMINER REASONING
Afghanistan has been central to India's security concerns and development diplomacy for decades. Prelims tests: Salma Dam (Chist-e-Sharif), Afghan Parliament (New Delhi), Zaranj-Delaram Highway (219 km), Chabahar Port (Iran), India's $3B+ aid, Air Corridor (2020), Taliban takeover (August 2021), Pakistan's role, Haqqani Network, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Operation Devi Shakti (2021 evacuation). Mains demands: (a) development partnership — India has invested $3B+ in over 500 projects — Salma Dam (42 MW power, 75,000 hectares irrigation), Afghan Parliament building (completed 2015 — symbol of democracy), Zaranj-Delaram Highway (trade link to Iran border), Stor Palace restoration — highest number of scholarship slots for Afghan students (1,000/year), (b) connectivity — Chabahar — India has developed Shahid Beheshti Port (Phase-1 operational 2018) — alternative trade route bypassing Pakistan — connects to Afghanistan via Zaranj-Delaram Highway — Chabahar also connects to International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), (c) post-Taliban takeover (2021) — India evacuated 600+ people (Operation Devi Shakti) — suspended diplomatic presence (embassy evacuated) — Shut down consulates (Kandahar, Herat, Jalalabad, Mazar-e-Sharif) — new reality: Taliban in power, (d) India's evolving approach — India sent a 'technical team' to Kabul (June 2022) — first diplomatic engagement with Taliban — provided 40,000 tonnes wheat + medicines (2022) — agreed to continue development projects through third parties (UN agencies) — pushed for inclusive government — demanded Afghan soil not be used for anti-India terrorism, (e) security concerns — Taliban takeover emboldened Pakistan-based terror groups (Haqqani Network in Taliban cabinet — Sirajuddin Haqqani as Interior Minister) — ISIS-K (Islamic State Khorasan) active — threat to Central Asia and India, (f) — Pakistan's 'strategic depth' doctrine — using Afghan soil against India — India's counter: building strong ties with Afghan people and government across 20 years. The examiner's favourite framing is: ""