Subhashis Mittra
The recent visit to Afghanistan by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has brought to the fore the fact that the two sides are trying to come closer in their efforts to achieve peace and prosperity in the region as a whole. Her visit to Kabul, the first after assuming office, was more than symbolic or route diplomatic effort to establish rapport with the new Government in Delhi and Kabul.
Her visit conveyed without any ambiguity to Afghan leaders that Governments may change in India, but the nation’s commitment to forge the bond of friendship with its neighbours and strategic partners, especially with Afghanistan, will remain the same.
“India is here to stay,” Swaraj assured Afghanistan as she conveyed the new Government’s resolve to work “hand-in-hand” with the war-torn country by providing all possible assistance, including in key areas of defence and security.
As Afghanistan enters a new phase in its transition, Swaraj during her talks with President Hamid Karzai conveyed that India was Afghanistan’s first strategic partner and will help Afghanistan meet challenges of stability and security as the countdown begins for the drawdown of NATO forces.
Thus, her offer to help Afghanistan could not have come at a better time.
“This is a critical decade of transformation for Afghanistan. India will always be Afghanistan’s first strategic partner. And we will always share the Afghan people’s vision of a strong, independent, united and prosperous Afghanistan for which so many Afghans sacrificed so much,” she said.
“India is prepared to do whatever possible, within our capacities and our means, to work with the Afghan Government and its peoples to realise this great vision,” she said inaugurating a new USD 40 million Indian Embassy building in Kabul.
Both the countries decided to ramp up security cooperation and India has agreed to consider Afghanistan’s request for supply of military hardware. In the meeting with Karzai, Afghan side mentioned to Swaraj about a weapon ‘wish list’ provided earlier and the visiting External Affairs Minister said India will consider it seriously. Afghanistan has been pressing India for supplying military hardware to strengthen its security set up in view of drawdown of NATO forces at the end of this year.
Swaraj’s visit also assumed significance as it came amid rising fears of the reemergence of the Taliban and other al-Qaeda linked elements in the country following withdrawal of NATO forces. The Afghan side raised the issue of terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
The two sides underlined the need for effective ways to deal with terrorism emanating from Pakistan. India seeks better security arrangement for Indian assets in Afghanistan, which have come under attack blamed on Pakistan-backed militants.
The Indian Consulate in Herat province was attacked. In August last year, a failed bombing against the Indian Consulate in Jalalabad city near the border with Pakistan killed nine people, including six children. No Indian officials were hurt.
The Indian Embassy in Kabul was attacked twice in 2008 and 2009 that left 75 people dead. Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said India was ready to face any challenge to its internal security after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and asserted that it has enough strength to face threats of terror outfits like al-Qaeda.
“We are discussing the issue of (US) troops withdrawal from Afghanistan and how to deal with the situation. We are taking action,” Singh told reporters in Delhi while reviewing the performance of his ministry during the 100 days of Modi government.
Afghan officials described Swaraj’s meeting with Karzai as “very very successful” and expressed confidence that with India’s assistance the country will be able to face the threat of terrorism.
During her talks with Foreign Minister Zarar Osmani, Afghan side requested India to expand its reconstruction activities. India has invested USD two billion in aid and reconstruction and trained scores of Afghan officers.
Swaraj deliberated on Chabahar port project and underlined the need of completing it soon and said it will improve connectivity between India, Afghanistan and Iran. She also met a delegation of Sikh and Hindu community members who demanded easing of visa regime by India. They said India grants them travel documents for only six months and sought longer validity visas. Both sides also examined easing visa norms for business community. The two sides also decided to increase trade ties.
Swaraj conveyed that whoever wins the presidential race in Afghanistan, India’s new Government will continue its active engagement in the country. Former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah and former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani were in a tight race in the polls and the winner will succeed incumbent President Karzai who has been in power for nearly 13 years.
It is definitely not an easy time for Kabul. The visit of Sushma Swaraj has undoubtedly shored up the Government there in handling the emerging situation. In fact, the bonhomie between the two sides had started with President Karzai attending the swearing in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi in May this year.
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