The document discusses India-Afghan relations and the geopolitical implications of developments in Afghanistan. It summarizes the history of Afghanistan and its relations with foreign powers. It notes India's economic investments and "soft power" approach in Afghanistan. The Taliban resurgence is seen as a victory for Pakistan and poses challenges for India related to Kashmir, terrorism, and regional stability. Key lessons for India are the need for strategic clarity and not being overly dependent on any major power. The fall of Afghanistan could lead to global realignment and challenges India's interests.

1. INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS
BY
MAHESHWARAN SATHIAH

2. QUOTES
• IR is struggle for power through various means like ideology, religion,
economics, military options, psychological measures, diplomacy etc.
• IR never ends, there is no option, all nations must play the game,
even dropping atomic bombs does not result in end of IR for Japan.
• In IR, you are either a victim or victimizer. Neither of them is not
possible. So Choose wisely !

3. • INDIA-AFGAN RELATIONS
(GS-II - India and its Neighborhood – Relations, Effect
of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing
Countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora)

4. PYQs
• The proposed withdrawal of International Security Assistance Force
(ISAF) from Afghanistan in 2014 is fraught with major security
implications for the countries of the region. Examine in light of the
fact that India is faced with a plethora of challenges and needs to
safeguard its own strategic interests. (2013)

5. GEOGRAPHY
• Geography is the strategic
curse for afghanistan, but it
is strategic blessing for
Pakistan, on the other hand
Geography is the strategic
distraction for India.

6. Brief History of
Afghanistan
• "Great game" was played between
great empires in Afghan. In ancient
times it was on silk route and had
important passes like Kyber pass.
• "Graveyard of empires" - Terrian and
people of Afghan are always difficult
to control by outside powers.
• In 1960s and 70s, it was culturally
rich, modern and urbanised place.

7. Soviet invasion and rise of Mujahideen

8. THINGS YOU SHOULD
KNOW ABOUT
Wahhabism

9. OPERATION
CYCLONE

10. ART OF PROXY WAR – The lesson that Pak
learnt
Pandora box opened by USA

11. IMPACT ON INDIA - Foreign militants in
Kashmir after 1989
• After the withdrawal of USSR combat forces
from Afghanistan in 1989, Pakistan
maneuvered the battle-hardened militants to
the Kashmir valley to create a new theatre of
conflict and terrorism.
• Ethnic cleansing Kashmiri Hindus estimated at
3.5 lakhs.
• Nearly 3000 foreign militants were killed in
anti insugency operations.

12. RISE OF TALIBAN
• The Taliban, or "students" in the Pashto language,
emerged in the early 1990s in northern Pakistan.
• The promise made by the Taliban - in Pashtun areas
straddling Pakistan and Afghanistan - was to restore
peace and security and enforce their own austere
version of Sharia, or Islamic law, once in power.
• Afghans, weary of the mujahideen's excesses and
infighting after the Soviets were driven out, generally
welcomed the Taliban when they first appeared on the
scene.
• Thus devil replaced satan
• Afganistan became safe haven for Islamist terrorism.

13. Indian Airlines Flight
814 - HIJACK
• Maulana Masood Azhar – who founded Jaish-e-
Muhammed in 2000, which gained notoriety
for its alleged role in the 2001 Indian
Parliament attack and 2008 Mumbai attacks,
which led to death of hundreds of people,
along with the 2019 Pulwama Attack
• Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh – allegedly played
a significant role in planning the September 11
attacks in the United States.
• Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar – release in training
Islamic militants in Pakistan administrated
Jammu & Kashmir.

14. Northern Alliance
• United Islamic National Front for the
Salvation of Afghanistan Vs Islamic
Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban)
• India supported it against Taliban.
• It played active role in US invasion by
assisting the International Security
Assistance Force

15. United States invasion
of Afghanistan –9/11
• US President George W. Bush demanded that the
Taliban hand over Osama bin Laden and expel al-
Qaeda.
• It launched Operation Enduring Freedom on October
7, 2001, with the United Kingdom
• In December 2001, the United Nations Security
Council established the International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF) to oversee military operations
in the country and train Afghan National Security
Forces.
• Hamid Karzai was selected to head the Afghan Interim
Administration

16. Afghan(2004-
2020)
• More than 100 Lakh crore rupees spent
• 1.5 lakh Afghan troops and civilians dead
• 4000+ US & allied troops died.
• Corruption, infighting, flawed policies made
the costly effort ineffective.
• US did not understand the needs properly. They did
not have clear objectives, ways to achieve it but
just focussed on pumping in cash.
• Imposed Democracy was flawed and rigged many
times to favour US.

17. PEACE PROCESS THAT RESULTED IN
RESURGENCE OF TALIBAN
• With just 75000 militants(coalision of several organisations) taliban could succeed because of US
desperatism to exit Afghan. US released a plan of phased exit irrespective of the commitment that taliban
gave. Taliban just waited and captured power without much fighting.
• The Haqqani Network – the Haqqani network is the most ruthless, disciplined and organized subgroup
within the Taliban. The Haqqani network is also a major impediment to the prospects of negotiations with
Kabul. The network’s leader favors a solely military solution to the conflict. The main base of its operation is
in Pakistan.

18. Role of External
Players
• The US led NATO forces
• Qatar
• Russia
• Pakistan’s destabilizing role in
Afghanistan
• China
• Turkey
• India

19. INDIA AND AFGHAN
• Heavily dependent on US for security.
• India has opted a ‘soft power’ strategy to engage
Afghanistan, preferring to contribute substantially in
the civilian sector rather than in defence and
security.
• India is particularly active in the construction,
infrastructure, human capital building and mining
sectors. Besides, it has also identified the
telecommunications, health, pharmaceuticals, and
information technology and education sectors for
cooperation.
• Had invested more than 3 Billion dollars
• India wanted Afghan-led and Afghan-owned,
inclusive peace process.

20. GEOPOLITICAL
SIGNIFICANCE OF
AFGANISTAN W.R.T INDIA
• Kashmir
• Pakistan's strategic depth
• Safe haven for Islamist terror groups
• Opium
• Investment
• Mineral wealth

21. India Vs China

22. Global
implications
• Meltdown of US Hegemony.
• Distress within American
Ailles.
• Global realignment and
reinforcement – (US-India) Vs
(China – Pak -Rus).
• Regional and global
instability and more
violence.
• Seed for future conflict.
• Strategic lesson for India.

23. REALISM VS STUPIDITY
Why does America doing
it?
Why Pakistan is doing it?

24. QUESTIONS
• Taliban capturing power in Afghanistan, is victory for Pakistan. What
challenges are awaiting for India and how to deal with them? (200 W)
• India played very little role in Afghan peace process. What was the
reason? And whether it is in the interest of India or not? Elucidate
(150 W)
• What are the strategic lessons that India can learn from the fall of
Afghanistan?

25. THANK YOU