Afghanistan: The graveyard of Empires(II)

All is not lost still. That is what I feel amidst all the chaos. We have faced the worst and together we have always succeeded. It sounds like a superhero tale but when it comes to real-life there is no single identity like a superhero but we all contribute in whatever ways we can to make a difference.

Afghanistan is one such country that needs the collective effort of every individual possible to save itself. A country that may soon cease to exist if we don't take the required steps.

The Americans have left Afghanistan in the worst state possible. Although their purpose was served after the killing of Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan on May 2, 2011, by United States Navy SEALs of the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Development Group.

A Regime Of Terrorists

Under the Taliban regime, Afghanistan has started to lose its shine which it had got as a result of efforts by countries like India. 

The new Taliban regime and its mentors in Pakistan require considerable luck to govern Afghanistan successfully. And I don't think so, they are having luck anytime soon. 

Expecting a government consisting of terrorists to function democratically is next to impossible and also its claims are rubbish. Many of its members feature on the terrorist list of the United Nations 1267 Sanctions Committee and the European Union's list of terrorists subject to restrictive measures. The detention center of the United States, in Guantanamo Bay, created a sense of solidarity amongst the Taliban leaders incarcerated there, four of whom are now in senior positions within the Taliban cabinet. The new Interior Minister, Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, head of the Haqqani Network, has an unrevoked Rewards For Justice Program, United States Department of State bounty of $10 million on him, while his uncle, the Refugee, and repatriation Minister, Khalil­ur­ Rahman Haqqani, earlier nominated as Kabul's security chief, has a bounty of $5 million. The Haqqani Network was responsible for the bombing of the Indian Embassy in Kabul in July 2008, killing India's Defence Attaché and its Political Counsellor.

Their claims are high and they are busy giving hope to the disoriented and disturbed public. They speak highly of giving concessions for the participation of women in governance or the restitution of human rights. Mujahid spoke of protecting the rights of minorities and the underprivileged. Yet, there is not a single woman or a Hazara in the Taliban cabinet, which is packed with hardliners.

The existential situation

While the Taliban have repeatedly offered assurances on the prohibition of the use of their land against the security interests of any other country, they are unlikely to sever their ties with al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations.

Afghanistan will remain riddled with the crisis. An immediate challenge for the Taliban will be reining in their younger commanders and fighters, with the danger that disgruntled elements amongst them might join hands with the Islamic State Khorasan.

Another challenge for the Taliban regime is the frozen reserves, the absence of banking services and liquidity, rising prices of food, medicines, and other essentials, currency depreciation, unemployment, and the collapse of services and construction.

There is no money for public finance or administration - no prospect of salaries for government workers - as 80% of Afghanistan's last approved annual budget of $5.5 billion was funded by external aid.

It has been more than two months since the Taliban took over Afghanistan, but I don't see any sign of improvement(lives, governance, etc.) in the country. Things have only become worse and one-by-one all the claims made by the Taliban regime are turning to be just false assurances. More lives are being lost, women are being oppressed more than ever- all their rights have been taken, more destruction is happening now than before, the administration has become fully chaotic. With all the loss of lives and destruction of public property, Afghanistan has become like how it was in the 1990s. 

Amidst all the chaos, there are still some countries that are busy trying to fulfill their selfish interests and are ready to recognize the current regime. I still believe that there are many of us who share the agony of Afghanis and want to help them out in whatever ways we can. The need of the hour is for India and like-minded countries to join hands and rescue Afghanistan from the reign of terror.

Recognition of the Taliban regime

Should India recognize the current Taliban regime?

The answer is an obvious "no". That this is even being debated shows how skewed priorities are, especially for those who would have India normalize the military takeover of Afghanistan by a bunch of terrorists as just another change of government, or at worst a military coup.

The need to engage with the Taliban should not extend beyond sending out the clear message that any use of the Afghan soil to nurture anti-India terrorists, will be met with the strictest action, including force, if required; and of course, ensuring the safety of Indians still in that country. The Taliban are not doing India a favor by saying that they are not interested in any India-Pakistan conflict. They are not supposed to be interested in it, anyway.

India should hold Taliban accountable to its publicly stated commitments concerning the right of Afghans and foreign nationals to leave Afghanistan in a safe, secure, and orderly way, and that Afghan territory will not be used to threaten or attack any country, encapsulated in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2593 (UNSCR 2593), adopted during India's presidency of the Council.

The US and the rest of the West may claim to be rooted in the values of liberty, equality, and freedom, but in reality, they unashamedly sacrifice these values at the altar of self-interest whenever the occasion demands - as they did in Afghanistan. India is not a country born because of the random cartographic exercises of the British; India is a civilizational power, with deep roots in ancient history, where Afghanistan too had a place. 

A nation such as India, which believes in "vasudhaiva kutumbakam" - the world is one family - cannot betray a branch of its family. 

Let's be true to our values, instead of looking for cues from the West. We have maintained our true identity throughout our existence and we will continue to do so.

If you like my work and want to support it, buy me a cup of coffee! For more of my content, check out my other social media platforms.