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