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Afghanistan

Afghanistan

India’s position in Afghanistan

Context: "India’s position in Afghanistan" is an important topic for UPSC GS Paper 2 The below article explains the new paradigm in Afghanistan after 15th August, when the Taliban took control. India through NSA-level dialogue and with a wish to send food grains through a Humanitarian approach has expressed its concerns in the region, where China and Pakistan’s influence is dominating the powerplay. Striding back into the Afghan theatre Though challenging, it would be a mistake to consider that there is no space for India to operate in Afghanistan. Amidst the multiple messages that New Delhi wished to send out by convening ‘The…

15 November, 2021 Afghanistan

Afghanistan - Issue and Crisis, Detailed Analysis

Context: Afghanistan- Issue and Crisis is an important topic for UPSC GS paper 2. Historical Background- Afghanistan was never ruled by a Single ruler. It has had a history of conquests by Alexander (330 BC), Mongol Empire (13th Century), Mughal conquests, Three Anglo Afghan Wars (1839-1842; 1878 – 1880 and 1919 respectively), Panjdeh incident (which was an armed engagement between the Afghanistan and Russian Empire in 1885 and the first major incursion into Afghanistan by Russia), etc. During the Modern era, 1973 Afghan coup d’etat occurred. In a relatively bloodless coup, King Mohammed Zahir Shah was deposed on 17 July 1973 and the Republic…

12 November, 2021 Afghanistan

India Afghanistan Relations

Context: India Afghanistan Relations is an important topic for UPSE GS Paper 2. India and Afghanistan have a strong relationship based on historical and cultural links. The relationship is not limited to the governments in New Delhi and Kabul, and has its foundations in the historical contacts and exchanges between the people. In the recent past, Indo-Afghan relations have been further strengthened by the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed between the two countries in 2011. As Afghanistan was preparing itself for three simultaneous political, security and economic transitions in 2014, India had allayed its fears about its future by making a long-term commitment to…

07 November, 2021 Afghanistan

Afghanistan Civil War 2021

Afghanistan Civil War 2021 Historical Background Afghanistan was never ruled by a single ruler. It has had a history of conquests by Alexander (330 BC), Mongol Empire (13th Century), Mughal conquests, Three Anglo-Afghan Wars (1839-1842; 1878 – 1880 and 1919 respectively), Panjdeh incident (which was an armed engagement between the Afghanistan and Russian Empire in 1885 and the first major incursion into Afghanistan by Russia), etc. During the Modern era, 1973 Afghan coup d’etat occurred. In a relatively bloodless coup, King Mohammed Zahir Shah was deposed on 17 July 1973 and the Republic of Afghanistan was established and Monarchy was…

21 August, 2021 Afghanistan

China and Pakistan strategy on Afghanistan

China and Pakistan's strategy on Afghanistan China and Pakistan said they would more closely cooperate and work together in Afghanistan amid the changing situation in the country, as their Foreign Ministers proposed building the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into “a hub of regional connectivity”. Meeting in the Chinese city of Chengdu at the third strategic dialogue, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi outlined a five-point joint plan on working in Afghanistan. Mr. Wang described the current situation as arriving “at an important juncture” as he criticised “the hasty U.S. withdrawal of troops” for having…

26 July, 2021 Afghanistan

After 2 decades, U.S. exits key Afghan base

After 2 decades, U.S. exits key Afghan base After nearly 20 years, the U.S. military left Bagram Airfield, the epicentre of its war to oust the Taliban and hunt down the al-Qaeda perpetrators of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America. The airfield was handed over to the Afghan National Security and Defence Force in its entirety, they said on condition of anonymity. One of the officials also said the U.S. top commander in Afghanistan, General Austin S. Miller, “still retains all the capabilities and authorities to protect the forces.” U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday said the withdrawal of American…

03 July, 2021 Afghanistan

Afghanistan crisis

Afghanistan crisis Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II- IR Taliban and Afghan forces clashed at Kunduz The Taliban and Afghan forces clashed on the outskirts of the strategic northern city of Kunduz, with the insurgents claiming to have captured three districts in the region in a week. The Taliban have launched major offensives targeting government forces since early May when the U.S. military began its final troop withdrawal, and claim to have seized more than 50 of the country’s 421 districts. Taliban claimed they had captured the Imam Sahib district of the province, the third to be taken in a…

22 June, 2021 Afghanistan

Afghanistan crisis news

Afghanistan crisis news Taliban and Afghan ceasefire for Id-ul-Fitr The Taliban and the Afghan government on Monday declared a three-day ceasefire for this week’s Id-ul-Fitr holiday, following a sharp spike in violence as Washington goes about withdrawing its remaining troops from Afghanistan. Violence has soared since May 1 — the deadline missed by the U.S. to withdraw the last of its troops — and while the Taliban have avoided engaging American forces, attacks against government and civilian targets have not stopped. Id-ul-Fitr marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramzan, and the holiday begins according to the sighting…

11 May, 2021 Afghanistan

Afghanistan crisis for UPSC

Afghanistan crisis for UPSC Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II- IR  Historical Background The Saur Revolution had taken place in Afghanistan in 1978 which installed a communist party in power. Nur Muhammad Taraki became the head of the state replacing the previous president Daoud Khan. Taraki’s government introduced many modernisation reforms that were considered too radical and left them unpopular, especially in the rural areas and with the traditional power structures. The communist government also had a policy of brutally suppressing all opposition. Even unarmed civilians opposing the government were not spared. This led to the rise of various anti-government armed groups in the country. The government itself…

12 April, 2021 Afghanistan

Heart of Asia Conference: Afghanistan crisis

Heart of Asia Conference: Afghanistan crisis Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II- IR  Historical Background The Saur Revolution had taken place in Afghanistan in 1978 which installed a communist party in power. Nur Muhammad Taraki became the head of the state replacing the previous president Daoud Khan. Taraki’s government introduced many modernisation reforms that were considered too radical and left them unpopular, especially in the rural areas and with the traditional power structures. The communist government also had a policy of brutally suppressing all opposition. Even unarmed civilians opposing the government were not spared. This led to the rise of various anti-government armed groups in the country. The…

31 March, 2021 Afghanistan

Afghanistan peace process-post Doha Agreement

Afghanistan peace process-post Doha Agreement Introduction The peace process in Afghanistan has reached a critical turning point. Doha Agreement The intention of the withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Afghanistan as early as May 1, as specified in the Doha Agreement will impact the security situation and the Taliban could make rapid gains. Despite the Doha Agreement, the Taliban has not ended its ties with the al-Qaeda and other similar terrorist groups. Nor have intra-Afghan negotiations progressed. Doha agreement   Comprehensive Ceasefire between the Afghan Government and Taliban. Timeline for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Afghanistan will be…

09 March, 2021 Afghanistan

Loya Jirga- The National Gathering in Afghanistan

Loya Jirga- The National Gathering in Afghanistan What is Loya Jirga? It is a mass national gathering that brings together representatives from the various ethnic, religious, and tribal communities in Afghanistan. It is a highly respected centuries-old consultative body that has been convened at times of national crisis or to settle national issues. According to the Afghan Constitution, a Loya Jirga is considered the highest expression of the Afghan people. It is not an official decision-making body and its decisions are not legally binding. However, Loya Jirga's decision is seen as final, with the president and parliament expected to respect the ruling.

09 March, 2021 Afghanistan

Afghani Chadar to Ajmer Dargah

Afghani Chadar to Ajmer Dargah Afghanistan President has sent the first ever sacred 'Chadar' to the Ajmer Sharif Dargah through its diplomatic mission in New Delhi. This Chadar was given during the 809th 'Urs (Death Anniversary) Mubarak' of Khawaja Gharib Nawaz, which is ongoing in Ajmer. Ajmer Sharif Dargah Ajmer Sharif Dargah is a Sufi shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, who is well-known for his secular preachings. Located in Rajasthan, it was built by Mughal Emperor Humayun. This shrine has Chishti’s grave (Maqbara) inside a white marble dome, 11 arches and Persian inscriptions. There are several mosques inside the dargah complex, built by Akbar and Shah…

19 February, 2021 Afghanistan

India – Afghanistan relations

India – Afghanistan relations On a trip that was kept under wraps before it got underway, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Wednesday visited Afghanistan for talks on strategic issues with the leadership in Kabul. The Afghan government said the conversations were about “synchronising efforts to combat terrorism and build peace”. This is the first visit by a senior Indian official after the Afghan political stakeholders and the Taliban started their reconciliation process last year. India attended the US-brokered peace pact signing in Doha in February last year. An Indian delegation also attended the inaugural ceremony of the intra-Afghan negotiations…

15 January, 2021 Afghanistan

Analysis of Afghanistan peace talks – UPSC

Analysis of Afghanistan peace talks – UPSC Context: UPSC GS Paper II: International issues: (Mains-Interview) For complete Article on Afghanistan Peace Talks and US – Taliban deal: click here With the Afghan government and the Taliban preparing to resume talks in Doha next week, one of the pressing problems Afghanistan is facing remains unaddressed — the surging violence. Chronology of events in Afghanistan peace process The year 2020 was one of the bloodiest in Afghanistan’s 19-year-long conflict. It saw a U.S.-Taliban agreement in February where the Americans promised to withdraw troops in return for the insurgents’ assurance that they would…

29 December, 2020 Afghanistan

Afghanistan peace talks

Afghanistan Crisis- US TALIBAN DEAL Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II- IR  Historical Background The Saur Revolution had taken place in Afghanistan in 1978 which installed a communist party in power. Nur Muhammad Taraki became the head of the state replacing the previous president Daoud Khan. Taraki’s government introduced many modernisation reforms that were considered too radical and left them unpopular, especially in the rural areas and with the traditional power structures. The communist government also had a policy of brutally suppressing all opposition. Even unarmed civilians opposing the government were not spared. This led to the rise of various anti-government armed groups in the country. The government…

28 December, 2020 Afghanistan

Afghanistan Crisis- US TALIBAN DEAL

Afghanistan Crisis- US TALIBAN DEAL Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II- IR  Historical Background The Saur Revolution had taken place in Afghanistan in 1978 which installed a communist party in power. Nur Muhammad Taraki became the head of the state replacing the previous president Daoud Khan. Taraki’s government introduced many modernisation reforms that were considered too radical and left them unpopular, especially in the rural areas and with the traditional power structures. The communist government also had a policy of brutally suppressing all opposition. Even unarmed civilians opposing the government were not spared. This led to the rise of various anti-government armed groups in the country. The government…

28 December, 2020 Afghanistan

India's assistance to Afghanistan

Afghanistan - India Relations Recently, at the Afghanistan 2020 Conference, India announced about 150 projects worth USD 80 million. Also, the USA has decided to reduce its troop presence in Afghanistan to about 2,500 by January 2021. India - Afghanistan relations: India will launch phase IV of high-impact community development projects, which include around 150 projects worth USD 80 million. It has signed an agreement for building the Shahtoot dam, which would provide safe drinking water to 2 million residents of Kabul city. It builds on the 202 km  Pul-e-Khumri transmission line of 2009, through which India provides power to the city.…

25 November, 2020 Afghanistan

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