The Great Game in Afghanistan

Hello friends, let's explore another region of vital significance for Indian Foreign Policy- Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is located at the heart of Asia characterized by numerous mountains, snow-clad peaks, and valleys. It has been the region of geopolitical puzzle since ancient times. Whether it's Alexander the Great or modern USSR disintegration, Afghanistan has been recognized as the graveyard of empires. People of Afghanistan are extreme lovers of their Afghanhood and Freedom. As another major power in the contemporary era, USA has already declared that they will withdraw from Afghanistan, the dynamics of world politics are again going to change leaving behind a difficult task for India as well.

The Beauty of Afghan contrasting Graveyard of Empire Status
(Source- buisnessinsider.in)

First, let's take a brief overview of significant developments in Afghanistan, the reasons why it has been a major theatre of world politics since the last century. Afghanistan was ruled by various rulers for centuries. However, the land of Central Asia and its peripheries including Afghanistan became a prime interest for the Russian empire to gain access to warm seaports during the 19th century. British empire in India saw this as a threat to its colony. There began the great game over mastery of Central Asian heartland including Afghanistan. After The Third Anglo-Afghan War in 1919, Afghanistan gained international recognition as the Kingdom of Afghanistan in 1926 beginning the process of modernization.

The Great Game
(Source- National Army Muesum,UK)

Fifty years later.1970s. Internal disturbances tore Afghanistan. Islamic elements mobilize opposing Soviet hegemony. In 1978, a civil war broke out in which President Daud Khan was assassinated. Mujahideens supported by Pakistani ISI, USA, and China started violence and disturbances. In these circumstances, the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979 once they realized that things are going out of their control.  The fight between Mujahideens and USSR lasted for a decade. After the exhaustive fight, the Soviets withdrew in 1992 on the eve of the end of the cold war.

Do watch- Afghanistan History Summarised

(Source- Epithemus, Youtube)

Afghanistan was in ruins again. Violence broke out all over the country. Partly as a response to this scenario, the Taliban was born under the leadership of Mullah Omar. Taliban captured power in 1996, establishing the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Northern Alliance supported by Iran, Russia, Turkey, India, and others was formed to resist the Taliban. In 2001, in the wake of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, Al Qaeda came to the center of focus. USA and Britain launched heavy bombings all over Afghanistan to attack terrorist hideouts. Osama Bin Laden was one of the main targets. USA engaged in its longest war.

Twenty years later.2021. The conditions are more or less similar as they were before. Though there is an elected government in Afghanistan, the Taliban still holds on. USA and NATO forces are preparing to withdraw. This move was explicitly discussed during USA- Taliban Peace Deal last year. As Biden Administration is committed to bringing boys back at home, The New Great Game has been unveiling in Afghanistan. Now the regional players- Pakistan, China, India, West Asia, Turkey, Iran including Russia are maneuvering and strategizing their plans for Afghanistan.

What does The Great Game mean to India and its Afghan chapter? Let's see in the next article.

References-

Oxford Handbook for Indian Foreign Policy

Encyclopedia Britannica

Rivers,Bridges and Beyond

Hello friends, after looking into the history of the Bangladesh war, let's discuss what is the current scenario of India Bangladesh ties.

After liberation, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman was assassinated in 1975. Bangladesh witnessed Pakistan styled military rule for nearly one and a half-decade. This was a setback for India as well. Relations were hostile during these years. With the restoration of democracy in the 1990s and 2000s, relations witnessed a remarkable shift towards close partnerships in various fields.

Both countries share a land boundary of 4096.7 km, the fifth longest in the contemporary world. Almost 54 rivers, numerous rivulets flow between the two nations. India's North-East Region is kind of landlocked because of Bangladesh and vice versa. Given these facts, India cannot ignore Bangladesh making it the most important strategic neighbor.

Source-Wikimedia commons

                                                                                                                                           

Land Boundary issues have been a matter of concern for India in its neighbourhood. However, it has solved nearly all territorial disputes with Bangladesh. Be it islands or enclaves, huge diplomatic and political efforts have solved the issue. Land Boundary Agreement signed in 2015 is the sign of maturity in a relationship

Bangladesh has witnessed a radical positive transformation in its economy in the last two decades. This has opened up new opportunities for India to cooperate with Bangladesh on common developmental goals. India has invested massively in Bangladesh in terms of physical infrastructure and connectivity. Many ongoing projects are being financed by India's three Lines Of Credit(LOC) worth US $ 8 billion.

India's involvement in building nuclear power plant of Bangladesh, energy import from India, transit facilities to Bhutan and Nepal through India by Bangladesh, BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement of these 4 countries, show depth and intensity of activity going on between the two. Several initiatives such as MAITRI SETU and rail network to connect North East India through Bangladesh, Maitree Express from Kolkata to Dhaka are operational.

Maitri Setu connecting Tripura to Bangladesh on Feni River

                                                      (Source- newslivetv.com)

However, India- Bangladesh has some significant concerns as well. Immigrants in India have been a matter of debate in domestic politics reflected in issues like NRC and CAA. Bangladeshi radical parties also criticize Sheikh Hasina for being pro India. The increasing footprint of China has raised eyebrows in the South Block. The killing of citizens on borders by Bangladesh had a serious impact on relations for short time in the past.

The prosperity of Bangladesh has been neglected by Indian media who is busy hurling abuses to Bangladeshis. Some anti-India voices are also strong in Bangladesh. It's very vital to convince these voices why good ties are important. The Indo-Bangladesh friendship lies not only in rivers, bridges but beyond that as well.

                          Do watch for mature and expert analysis and more insights

The recent visit by PM Modi to Bangladesh was a symbol of strong and 'fraternal' ties between two neighbors. As Bangladesh is going to shed its Least Developed Country status by 2026, the window of opportunity to write a golden chapter is being opened. India-Bangladesh can transform South Asia from the least integrated region to "at least" integrated region with the shared vision of prosperity and stability in the subcontinent. 

Take a look at-

Teesta Water Dispute

New Moor Islands

The Land Boundary Agreement,2015 and Enclaves Exchange

 

1971 and Birth of Bangladesh-2

Hello friends, we discussed developments that led to civil war between East and West Pakistan. It was March 1971. Operation Searchlight by Pakistani forces started reign genocide, torture, rapes on Bengali Hindus in East Pakistan.

Bengali refugees started flooding in Indian border states as a result of this. Though they were provided with shelters, they were a burden on India's strained economy. It was decided military action will be more economical and beneficial.

The task was not at all easy one. Internationally, US supported Pakistan. Nixon administration and its prime player, Henry Kissinger was of the opinion that let allow whatever Yahya wants to do. China- Pakistan were on good terms. A probable coalition of Pakistan- China-US was dangling on the head of India in case of military intervention in East Pakistan.

In this situation, India decided to tread the way cautiously. Possibilities of direct military intervention in East Pakistan were examined. The then Army Chief, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw advised that direct military attack would be effective only in winters when northern borders get blocked because of snow. In that case, the Chinese couldn't start a Two-Front War, one on the West with Pakistan other on the east with China.

Secondly, Indian intelligence agencies especially RAW got orders to jump into the action. They began training refugees for war. Mukti Bahini, the guerrilla force fighting west Pakistani forces also got training.

National Martyrs Memorial, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Thirdly, PM Indira Gandhi opened an international diplomatic front against the propaganda of Pakistan and horrible atrocities committed by its forces during Operation Searchlight. The Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace and Friendship was signed in August 1971. Now war became a part of cold war theatre as well.

The massive war was becoming inevitable day by day. By November, the picture became clear that India- Pakistan are going to fight the heavy fight.

Indian objectives were two- one, to capture Dhaka. Second, to prevent Pakistani entry from the west. 3 December 1971. Pakistani Air Force launched air attacks on Indian Airbases in the northwest(Operation Chenghiz Khan). Although not much successful, this event was the declaration of official war by India against Pakistan. All three- Army navy Air Force got into the well-coordinated action.

The scope of this article doesn't permit to cover all major events here. Stories of INS Vikrant, Karachi capture, destroying of thier own ship PNS Zulfikar by the Pakistani air force, Battle of Longewala are popular throughout the public. Recently new movies also covered some of these. 

It is very pertinent to point out that well-cordinated action meant exactly by three forces. Indian Army penetrated into eastern Bangladesh in a conventional way with full might led by GoC Eastern Command, Jagjit Singh Aurora. Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force destroyed a small air contingent at Dhaka and made Dhaka airstrips dysfunctional. Indian Navy from South blockaded access to East Pakistan from Bay of Bengal. US deployed its naval fleet in the Bay of Bengal. It couldn't do much movement after the Soviets deployed their force as well.

In this manner, Indian forces with the active support of Bengali nationalists, Mukti Bahini captured Dhaka swiftly just within 13 days. Pakistani Lt. General AAK Niazi had to surrender on 16th December 1971. And Bangladesh was born.

signing Instrument of Surrender by Pakistani forces

It was one of the shortest wars in modern military history. Indian forces restored all their pride and glory which was lost after the 1962 war. Around 93000 Prisoners of War were captured. Shimla agreement was signed between Indira Gandhi and Bhutto in 1972. POWs and captured territories in the west were returned as goodwill. 

The story of war ends here. 

The a few interesting facts one must look into while knowing about Bangladesh Liberation War. Bangladesh adopted Amar Shonar Bangla as their national anthem. The author who wrote this has a very intimate connection to the National Anthem of India as well. Do you know who is the person? Post it in the comment box.

The liberation of Bangladesh was the end of the philosophy on which Pakistan stands. The two-nation theory which created Pakistan didn't stand the test of time. Within 25 years, the nation of Muslim majority was broke into two. Bangladesh was born on the basis of language dismissing the logic of a separate nation for Muslims. It is one of the rarest examples in the eastern world where the language was the basis for a separate nation-state.

India was one of the first countries to recognize Bangladesh as a sovereign nation. Official diplomatic relations were established in 1972. The journey is completing 50 years. Let's look at how things are in the current phase in the next article.

References-

India Since Independence- Bipan Chandra

Wikipedia- Bangladesh Liberation War

Oxford handbook for India's Foriegn Policy