India bounces back in Afghanistan

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 10, 2021: In a surprise move The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual summit of the BRICS (Brazil, India, China, and South Africa) to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.

The summit deliberated all aspects of the Afghan issues including aspects of human rights, the return to the peace process, and combating terrorism.

According to The New Delhi Declaration, which is the first statement by the grouping since the fall of Kabul to the Taliban on August 15 that followed the BRICS summit.

The declaration stressed the need for an “inclusive intra-Afghan dialogue but failed to mention the Taliban by name. It hits where it hurts by stating “We underscore the priority of fighting terrorism, including preventing attempts by terrorist organizations to use Afghan territory as a terrorist sanctuary and to carry out attacks against other countries, as well as drug trade within Afghanistan.

It stated, “We stress the need to contribute to fostering an inclusive intra-Afghan dialogue to ensure stability, civil peace, law, and order in the country.” the New Delhi declaration said, two days after the Taliban announced a government that lacked inclusivity and appeared non-representative of the country’s population.

The declaration condemned the terror attack at the Kabul international airport, for which the Islamic State (Khorasan) had claimed responsibility.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks near the Hamid Karzai Kabul International Airport that resulted in a large number of deaths and injuries,” it said.

India has made its intention clear that New Delhi would remain an active player in Afghanistan. Apparently, New Delhi will continue to play the regional superpower’s game. And the quagmire continues to hunt Afghanistan.