With a new government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm in India, Afghanistan is hopeful that bilateral ties will see a new narrative.
Afghan ambassador to India Shaida M. Abdali tells Parul Chandra that for the two countries to see an economic revival, they first need to focus on regional security for both are victims of terror.
What are Afghanistan’s expectations from the new government in India?
We’re very happy to see a leader with such a strong mandate in India. It means there is possibility and space for swift action with regard to issues. Having seen Mr Narendra Modi’s election campaign, he seems to be a man of action. I’m happy to see the revitalisation of Saarc and the promise of zero-tolerance of terrorism.
Our relations have been good but the situation is such that a “business as usual” approach won’t work. The governments of both countries need to do a re-think on how to address what we face on the terror front.
The bigger geo-political and geo-strategic game that’s on has more to do with the region than with just Afghanistan. Afghanistan is on the frontline, but the sources that target Afghanistan and India are becoming almost one. For example, the attack on the Indian consulate in Herat as well as other strikes in Afghanistan were carried out by the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba. LeT is an outfit that was seen as targeting India but is now striking Afghanistan and Indian interests in Afghanistan.
Could you explain what you mean by a “business as usual approach” not working any more?
Economic development is the key pillar for the new Indian government and for Afghanis-tan, too. But I believe this will only happen after we have an environment that’s secure and, therefore, conducive for investments from within and outside the country. Afghanistan is the gateway to India’s security. And I see a revival of the old form — insurgents, terrorists are being revitalised in a very dangerous manner. I hope that before we talk about economic revival, we discuss the security challenges faced by both of us. Rather than waiting for the enemy to reach our doorstep, we must fight them on the frontline.
Is Afghanistan seeking more military equipment and training for its security forces from India in view of the 2014 drawdown?
Definitely, definitely. We have to work for our defence and that means getting all the help required. Afghanistan is passing through a period of transition — economic, political and security. Foreign troops are set to leave Afghanistan and soon there’ll be greater responsibility upon us for our country’s security. We need to fill the gaps that exist in terms of a fully trained Army with adequate equipment. This will require countries that will be equally affected by the troops’ withdrawal and by the instability in Afghanistan to up their game.
We fully understand the constraints and costs involved, but I think it’s worth it. It’s time to take some tough decisions.
Tough decisions by whom?
Afghanistan and the whole region must join hands to look at the roots of terrorism — the masterminds, planning and infrastructure behind it. We have only dealt with the symptoms but not the roots. The roots indicate the involvement of state actors in nurturing terrorism. Looking at Mr Modi’s initiatives. I see him being creative, innovative and wanting change.
So should India provide more arms to Afghanistan?
I see hesitation, irritants and some kind of reluctance when we talk about supply of weapons. We have to put it in a context. Weapons for what? Is it for war against a country or to create a war in the region? No. It’s for a cause that all countries in the region support. Is there any country in the world that doesn’t want its troops fully equipped? Afghanistan’s quest for weapons should not be taken out of context — that will send a wrong signal to some neighbours.
Clearly, India has some reservations.
It’s fully understandable but nobody should buy the notion that arms from India will create any narrative other than the safety and security of Afghanistan and, by extension, of India. It is not targeted at any other country. A safe and secure Afghanistan means a safe and stable India. We have asked for equipment from Russia, we’re in touch with the Chinese. There can be a peaceful and stable Afghanistan only if we have a strong police and Army.
What were the issues raised by President Hamid Karzai during his recent meeting with Mr Modi?
The expansion of our relationship based on our strategic ties was discussed. We’re in a critical transition stage and need to do something more and different. We did discuss the need for the bilateral relationship to go higher and higher.
How would you address India’s concerns on the general security situation in your country?
It’s a shared concern. There’s an equal feeling of hurt among Afghans when attacks are carried out on Indians. We greatly value their presence in Afghanistan and will do everything to protect Indian assets in Afghanistan.
Does the prisoner swap involving American soldier Bowe Bergdahl and five Taliban men help reconciliation efforts?
The peace process has to be Afghan-led and Afghan-owned. We’re certainly unhappy with the way the release took place. We wanted the release of the detained Taliban for the peace talks to continue. But the Afghan government and the High Peace Council were not kept in the loop with regard to Bergdahl’s release. We’ve been told that this was an issue between the US and the Taliban as an American national was involved. However, a release of this nature does not help the peace process. The Afghan government and the High Peace Council are the sole institutions when it comes to peace talks with the Taliban. The peace process shouldn’t be between the Taliban and foreign forces.
As things stand today, Afghanistan and the US don’t seem to be seeing eye-to-eye on many issues.
There are policy differences, opinion differences. We differ on several issues, including the
peace talks.
The bilateral security agreement is still pending as Afghanistan has reservations about it. In a relationship of a grand nature like the one we have with the US, there will always be ups and downs.
