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By transferring the first consignment of drugs to Afghanistan, New Delhi has made its intent clear it wishes to open a window to the new Taliban- ruled Afghanistan and put its bottom in the politic door.
The political call to separate between the Taliban governance and the people of Afghanistan was taken a while ago that Delhi will reach out to the people of Afghanistan with essential inventories through the United Nations and its agencies. Medicines via the World Health Organisation and foodgrains through the World Food Programme.
Given how tightly the Taliban controls access to UN agencies, New Delhi has had to precisely engage with Taliban officers in calibrated, behind-the- scenes exchanges over the last four months or so, sources said.
India was among the last of influential indigenous players to reach out to Afghanistan in August end — when Indian envoy in Qatar Deepak Mittal officially met Taliban’s Doha office representatives, led by Sher Mohammed Stanekzai (an Indian Military Academy, Dehradun pass out and latterly came the Deputy Foreign minister).
In fact, at the meeting between Mittal and Stanekzai, Taliban officers easily said that India’s systems — to the tune of$ 3 billion in the last 20 times — had been “ extremely productive” and they would like “ India to stay invested in Afghanistan”.
Officers accentuate that the Indian delegacy’s engagement with original warlords in Taliban- dominated businesses had created some goodwill in the 34 businesses.
But the crucial question for the establishment has been how to engage with the Taliban- ruled Afghanistan without compromising on India’s red lines.
Those red lines were spelt out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a speech on September 17. For the first time since Taliban captured power in Afghanistan, Modi raised questions on the “ adequacy” of the new “ system” in Afghanistan flagging enterprises that the change of power has not been inclusive and took place without accommodations.
He’d also said that “ representation of all sections of Afghan society, including women and nonages, is also important”. He’d called upon the transnational community to take a decision on the critical question of the “ recognition” of the new division in a “ thoughtful and collaborative manner”.
This set the bar relatively high for India’s politic establishment to work with the new Afghanistan. The Taliban in Kabul, still, were realistic. They didn’t reply to Modi’s reflections and kept putting out statements — when asked — that help from the neighbours is welcome.
Transferring these drugs is the first step in getting part of the politic process unfolding in Doha and Kabul.
For Delhi, still, challenges in helping the “ people of Afghanistan” remain the question of grantinge-visas to Afghans ( scholars, professionals, musketeers of India; only 200e-visas have been granted so far); conservation of Indian- erected systems like the Salma Levee or the Pul-e-Khumri power factory.
From a security perspective, Delhi’s worries include the US leaving sophisticated artillery behind in Afghanistan and the “ threat of insecurity.”
“ But, for now, for that “ limited purpose” of philanthropic help, with medical inventories, Delhi has made it clear it’s not shy of engaging with the Taliban.”
