India's Afghanistan Policy: The Imperative of a "Whole of Government" Approach and the Pakistan Factor
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (India-Afghanistan, India-Pakistan, India's neighborhood policy); Key Institutions (National Security Council Secretariat - NSCS).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (International Relations): India and its neighborhood- relations; Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.
General Studies Paper 3 (Internal Security): Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security; Security challenges and their management in border areas.
Key Highlights from the News
For Indian investments (e.g., mining) in Afghanistan to succeed, it is essential to provide the Afghan people with necessary skill development.
To ensure Afghanistan remains a friendly and stable country for India, India should adopt a "whole of government" approach.
The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) has a key role in coordinating all ministries, including security, economy, water, and energy.
The Pakistan army is the biggest obstacle to Afghan stability because they seek to dominate the Taliban.
Meanwhile, ordinary Pakistanis (especially Pashtuns) with family and trade ties across the border desire peace.
As long as Pakistan remains a "security state", there will be no peace in the region.
The article argues that a systemic change in Pakistan (i.e., democracy) is required to resolve the problem of terrorism in the region.
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