Indo-Afghan relations
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| India | Afghanistan |
Bilateral relations between the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan have been traditionally strongly and friendly. While India was the only South Asian country to recognise the Soviet-backed Democratic Republic of Afghanistan in the 1980s, its relations were were diminished during the Afghan civil wars and the rule of the Islamist Taliban in the 1990s.[1] India aided the overthrow of the Taliban and became the largest regional provider of humanitarian and reconstruction aid.[2][3]
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[edit] Background
Afghanistan bordered British India's Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP), which was home to a significant Pashtun population that participated extensively in the Indian independence movement. Although the NWFP became a part of Pakistan in 1947, India and Afghanistan maintained significant cultural and economic links.[3] Films and music of India are widely popular in Afghanistan and Afghan products such as carpets, nuts and fruit are exported to India.[3] For most of their independent history, both nations have enjoyed traditionally friendly relations and have cooperated over respective conflicts with Pakistan.[2]
[edit] Civil wars and Taliban
India was the only South Asian nation to recognise the Soviet-backed Democratic Republic of Afghanistan and the Soviet Union's military presence in Afghanistan, and provided humanitarian aid to the country.[1] Following the withdrawal of the Soviet armed forces from Afghanistan in 1989, India and the international community supported the coalition government that took control, but relations and contacts ended with the outbreak of another civil war, which brought to power the Taliban, an Islamist militia supported by Pakistan.[4] The Taliban regime was recognised only by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The rise of Islamism in Afghanistan and the proliferation of Afghan mujahideen in the militancy in Indian-administered Kashmir turned the Taliban and Afghanistan into a security threat for India. The destruction of the Bamiyan Buddha monuments by the Taliban led to outrage and angry protests by India.[5] In 1999, the Indian Airlines Flight 814 hijacked by Muslim militants landed and stayed in Kandahar in Afghanistan and the Taliban and Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) were suspected of supporting them.[1] India became one of the key supporters of the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance.[6]
[edit] Post-2001
During the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, India offered intelligence and other forms of support for the Coalition forces. After the overthrow of the Taliban, India established diplomatic relations with the newly-established democratic government, provided aid and participated in the reconstruction efforts.[3] India has provided USD 650-750 million in humanitarian and economic aid, making it the largest regional provider of aid for Afghanistan.[3][2] The Indian Army's Border Roads Organisation is constructing a major road in the remote Afghan province of Nimroz.[2][3] India's support and collaboration extends to rebuilding of air links, power plants and investing in health and education sectors as well as helping to train Afghan civil servants, diplomats and police. India also seeks the development of supply lines of electricity, oil and natural gas.[3]
Both nations also developed strategic and military cooperation against Islamic militants.[2] Owing to the killing of an Indian national by Taliban militants in November 2005, India deployed 200 soldiers of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to provide security for Indian nationals and the projects supported by India.[3] Afghanistan strengthened its ties with India in wake of persisting tensions and problems with Pakistan, which was suspected of continuing to shelter and support the Taliban.[3][2] India pursues a policy of close cooperation in order to bolster its standing as a regional power and contain its rival Pakistan, which it maintains is supporting Islamic militants in Kashmir and other parts of India.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c India to Provide Aid to Government in Afghanistan. New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-06-03.
- ^ a b c d e f Kabul's India ties worry Pakistan. Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty. Retrieved on 2008-06-03.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j India's Northern Exposure. Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved on 2008-06-03.
- ^ Afghanistan's Troubled Border. Newsweek. Retrieved on 2008-06-03.
- ^ Taliban vandalism stirs India's oldest hatreds. The Independent, U.K.. Retrieved on 2008-06-03.
- ^ India joins anti-Taliban coalition. Jane's Security News. Retrieved on 2008-06-03.
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