International Relations: August 2021 Current Affair | UPSC Mains: International Relations PDF Download

 Page 1


 
13                                                                                                                                                        
2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 
2.1. 50 YEARS OF INDO-SOVIET TREATY 
Why in news?  
Recently, the 50th anniversary of the 
Indo-Soviet Treaty on Peace, 
Friendship and Cooperation signed in 
1971 was celebrated.  
Key features of the Treaty 
• Peace:  
o The Treaty declares that 
enduring peace and 
friendship shall prevail 
between the two countries 
and their people. Each Party 
shall respect the 
independence, sovereignty 
and territorial integrity of the other party and refrain from interfering in the other's internal affairs.  
o The treaty declares its determination to halt the arms race and to achieve general and complete 
disarmament, including both nuclear and conventional, under effective international control. 
• Friendship: 
o Guided by the loyalty to the lofty ideal of equality of all People and Nations, irrespective of race or creed, 
the treaty condemned colonialism and reclaimed in all forms and manifestations for their final and 
complete elimination. 
o The treaty aims to maintain regular contacts with each other on major international problems affecting 
the interests of both countries by means of meetings and exchanges of views between their leading 
statesmen. 
• Cooperation:  
o Treaty binds both parties to abstain from providing any assistance to any third party that engages in 
armed conflict with the other Party. In the event of either Party being subjected to a threat, the both 
the Parties shall immediately enter into mutual consultations in order to remove such threat and to take 
appropriate effective measures to ensure peace and the security of their countries. 
o Attaching great importance to economic, scientific and technological co-operation between them, the 
both the Parties will continue to consolidate and expand mutually advantageous and comprehensive co-
operation in these fields as well as expand trade, transport and communications between them on the 
basis of the principles of equality, mutual benefit and most-favoured-nation treatment. 
Significance of the Treaty 
• Upholds principle of Strategic Autonomy: It was not a military alliance. On the contrary, it strengthened the 
basis for India’s strategic autonomy, and its capacity for independent action. 
• International pact: According to experts, the treaty was perhaps the most consequential international pact 
entered into by India since Independence. 
• Convergence of interests: The treaty symbolised an alignment of interests in the face of regional and 
international challenges. It also symbolised an extraordinary convergence of national interest of both 
countries on the most critical issues of war and peace. 
• Contemporary significance: While the Treaty was of historical importance, concluded for an era that “has 
gone by,” its geopolitical underpinnings remain of enduring value, reflected in the close partnership between 
India and Russia in the 21st century, characterised as special and privileged Strategic Partnership. 
Strategic Importance of India Russia relations 
• Defence partnership: The defence ties are one of the highly influential aspects of their relation, and rest on 
3 features of technology transfer, joint development, marketing & selling and export of equipment, an 
Page 2


 
13                                                                                                                                                        
2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 
2.1. 50 YEARS OF INDO-SOVIET TREATY 
Why in news?  
Recently, the 50th anniversary of the 
Indo-Soviet Treaty on Peace, 
Friendship and Cooperation signed in 
1971 was celebrated.  
Key features of the Treaty 
• Peace:  
o The Treaty declares that 
enduring peace and 
friendship shall prevail 
between the two countries 
and their people. Each Party 
shall respect the 
independence, sovereignty 
and territorial integrity of the other party and refrain from interfering in the other's internal affairs.  
o The treaty declares its determination to halt the arms race and to achieve general and complete 
disarmament, including both nuclear and conventional, under effective international control. 
• Friendship: 
o Guided by the loyalty to the lofty ideal of equality of all People and Nations, irrespective of race or creed, 
the treaty condemned colonialism and reclaimed in all forms and manifestations for their final and 
complete elimination. 
o The treaty aims to maintain regular contacts with each other on major international problems affecting 
the interests of both countries by means of meetings and exchanges of views between their leading 
statesmen. 
• Cooperation:  
o Treaty binds both parties to abstain from providing any assistance to any third party that engages in 
armed conflict with the other Party. In the event of either Party being subjected to a threat, the both 
the Parties shall immediately enter into mutual consultations in order to remove such threat and to take 
appropriate effective measures to ensure peace and the security of their countries. 
o Attaching great importance to economic, scientific and technological co-operation between them, the 
both the Parties will continue to consolidate and expand mutually advantageous and comprehensive co-
operation in these fields as well as expand trade, transport and communications between them on the 
basis of the principles of equality, mutual benefit and most-favoured-nation treatment. 
Significance of the Treaty 
• Upholds principle of Strategic Autonomy: It was not a military alliance. On the contrary, it strengthened the 
basis for India’s strategic autonomy, and its capacity for independent action. 
• International pact: According to experts, the treaty was perhaps the most consequential international pact 
entered into by India since Independence. 
• Convergence of interests: The treaty symbolised an alignment of interests in the face of regional and 
international challenges. It also symbolised an extraordinary convergence of national interest of both 
countries on the most critical issues of war and peace. 
• Contemporary significance: While the Treaty was of historical importance, concluded for an era that “has 
gone by,” its geopolitical underpinnings remain of enduring value, reflected in the close partnership between 
India and Russia in the 21st century, characterised as special and privileged Strategic Partnership. 
Strategic Importance of India Russia relations 
• Defence partnership: The defence ties are one of the highly influential aspects of their relation, and rest on 
3 features of technology transfer, joint development, marketing & selling and export of equipment, an 
 
14                                                                                                                                                        
agreement non-existent with any other country. It has provided significant enhancement to India’s 
indigenous defence manufacturing. 
o Some of the major defence collaboration programs are- BrahMos Cruise Missile program, Sukhoi Su30 
and Tactical Transport Aircraft. 
• Economic Relations: It is an important pillar of the relations yet there remains a lot of scope to improve it 
further. India and Russia are exploring various ways for enhancing bilateral trade.  
• Energy Security: In Energy sector Russia has built nuclear reactors in India (Kudankulam reactors), adopted 
strategic vision in nuclear energy, offered oil, gas and investment opportunities in the fuel sector of Russia 
e.g., Sakhalin- I etc. 
o Both are extending civil nuclear cooperation to 3rd countries, e.g., Bangladesh. 
• Space technology: India and Russia have a four-decade strong relationship in the field of space. The former 
Soviet Union launched India’s first two satellites, Aryabhata and Bhaskar. It has provided India Cryogenic 
technology to build heavy rockets. 
• International standing: Russia has supported India’s bid for permanent seat in UNSC. It has been favouring 
Indian entry to Nuclear Supplier Group. Both countries coordinate each other over various forums including 
BRICS, SCO, G20 etc. 
• Cultural Relations: From people-to-people contacts (through programs like ‘Namaste Russia’) to sharing 
educational brilliance of both the countries through institutes like Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre, both 
the countries have had good 
cultural links.  
Contemporary issues 
India Russia relations have remained 
close, but they have lost intensity of 
India-Soviet relation. Recently, there 
has been a decline in India Russia 
Relations. 
• India’s growing proximity to the 
United States: Rapidly expanding 
ties and growing defence 
relationship between India and US, 
and India joining quadrilateral 
group led by the US has led to a 
strategic shift in Russia’s foreign 
policy. For Russia it has been a period of great hostility with West, thus pushing it to align with China. 
• Defence partnership: 
o India has been recently diversifying its defence relations with US, Israel etc. Russia’s share of Indian 
defence imports fell from 79 percent between 2008-2012 to 62 percent between 2013-2017. 
o India and US signed four foundational agreements (Like Logistics agreement, Basic Exchange and 
Cooperation Agreement etc.), which shows enhanced inter-operability between the two militaries. India 
Russia relation lacks this aspect. 
• One Dimensional Trade: 
o Trade has been one-dimensional i.e., defence based. The trade in 2017-18 was $10.7 billion, which is far 
below potential in comparison to India’s trade with China ($89.7 billion), the United States ($74.5 
billion). 
o There are a number of issues that hinder India-Russia trade, like, connectivity issues, distance, weak 
banking links, cumbersome regulations on both sides and Russia’s restrictive visa regime. 
• Russia’s changed foreign policy posture: 
o Towards Pakistan: Russia in 2014 lifted arms embargo on Pakistan. Russia and Pakistan conducted a 
military exercise in September 2016. In 2017, a military-technical cooperation agreement was signed 
which deals with arms supply and weapon development. All these factors raised concerns in India. 
o Towards China: Increasing strategic military relations between Russia China also impacted India Russia 
relations. Russia has sold advanced military technology to Beijing, endorsed China’s One Belt One Road. 
There has also been concern about Moscow leaning toward Beijing in forums like the BRICS. Also, China 
Page 3


 
13                                                                                                                                                        
2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 
2.1. 50 YEARS OF INDO-SOVIET TREATY 
Why in news?  
Recently, the 50th anniversary of the 
Indo-Soviet Treaty on Peace, 
Friendship and Cooperation signed in 
1971 was celebrated.  
Key features of the Treaty 
• Peace:  
o The Treaty declares that 
enduring peace and 
friendship shall prevail 
between the two countries 
and their people. Each Party 
shall respect the 
independence, sovereignty 
and territorial integrity of the other party and refrain from interfering in the other's internal affairs.  
o The treaty declares its determination to halt the arms race and to achieve general and complete 
disarmament, including both nuclear and conventional, under effective international control. 
• Friendship: 
o Guided by the loyalty to the lofty ideal of equality of all People and Nations, irrespective of race or creed, 
the treaty condemned colonialism and reclaimed in all forms and manifestations for their final and 
complete elimination. 
o The treaty aims to maintain regular contacts with each other on major international problems affecting 
the interests of both countries by means of meetings and exchanges of views between their leading 
statesmen. 
• Cooperation:  
o Treaty binds both parties to abstain from providing any assistance to any third party that engages in 
armed conflict with the other Party. In the event of either Party being subjected to a threat, the both 
the Parties shall immediately enter into mutual consultations in order to remove such threat and to take 
appropriate effective measures to ensure peace and the security of their countries. 
o Attaching great importance to economic, scientific and technological co-operation between them, the 
both the Parties will continue to consolidate and expand mutually advantageous and comprehensive co-
operation in these fields as well as expand trade, transport and communications between them on the 
basis of the principles of equality, mutual benefit and most-favoured-nation treatment. 
Significance of the Treaty 
• Upholds principle of Strategic Autonomy: It was not a military alliance. On the contrary, it strengthened the 
basis for India’s strategic autonomy, and its capacity for independent action. 
• International pact: According to experts, the treaty was perhaps the most consequential international pact 
entered into by India since Independence. 
• Convergence of interests: The treaty symbolised an alignment of interests in the face of regional and 
international challenges. It also symbolised an extraordinary convergence of national interest of both 
countries on the most critical issues of war and peace. 
• Contemporary significance: While the Treaty was of historical importance, concluded for an era that “has 
gone by,” its geopolitical underpinnings remain of enduring value, reflected in the close partnership between 
India and Russia in the 21st century, characterised as special and privileged Strategic Partnership. 
Strategic Importance of India Russia relations 
• Defence partnership: The defence ties are one of the highly influential aspects of their relation, and rest on 
3 features of technology transfer, joint development, marketing & selling and export of equipment, an 
 
14                                                                                                                                                        
agreement non-existent with any other country. It has provided significant enhancement to India’s 
indigenous defence manufacturing. 
o Some of the major defence collaboration programs are- BrahMos Cruise Missile program, Sukhoi Su30 
and Tactical Transport Aircraft. 
• Economic Relations: It is an important pillar of the relations yet there remains a lot of scope to improve it 
further. India and Russia are exploring various ways for enhancing bilateral trade.  
• Energy Security: In Energy sector Russia has built nuclear reactors in India (Kudankulam reactors), adopted 
strategic vision in nuclear energy, offered oil, gas and investment opportunities in the fuel sector of Russia 
e.g., Sakhalin- I etc. 
o Both are extending civil nuclear cooperation to 3rd countries, e.g., Bangladesh. 
• Space technology: India and Russia have a four-decade strong relationship in the field of space. The former 
Soviet Union launched India’s first two satellites, Aryabhata and Bhaskar. It has provided India Cryogenic 
technology to build heavy rockets. 
• International standing: Russia has supported India’s bid for permanent seat in UNSC. It has been favouring 
Indian entry to Nuclear Supplier Group. Both countries coordinate each other over various forums including 
BRICS, SCO, G20 etc. 
• Cultural Relations: From people-to-people contacts (through programs like ‘Namaste Russia’) to sharing 
educational brilliance of both the countries through institutes like Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre, both 
the countries have had good 
cultural links.  
Contemporary issues 
India Russia relations have remained 
close, but they have lost intensity of 
India-Soviet relation. Recently, there 
has been a decline in India Russia 
Relations. 
• India’s growing proximity to the 
United States: Rapidly expanding 
ties and growing defence 
relationship between India and US, 
and India joining quadrilateral 
group led by the US has led to a 
strategic shift in Russia’s foreign 
policy. For Russia it has been a period of great hostility with West, thus pushing it to align with China. 
• Defence partnership: 
o India has been recently diversifying its defence relations with US, Israel etc. Russia’s share of Indian 
defence imports fell from 79 percent between 2008-2012 to 62 percent between 2013-2017. 
o India and US signed four foundational agreements (Like Logistics agreement, Basic Exchange and 
Cooperation Agreement etc.), which shows enhanced inter-operability between the two militaries. India 
Russia relation lacks this aspect. 
• One Dimensional Trade: 
o Trade has been one-dimensional i.e., defence based. The trade in 2017-18 was $10.7 billion, which is far 
below potential in comparison to India’s trade with China ($89.7 billion), the United States ($74.5 
billion). 
o There are a number of issues that hinder India-Russia trade, like, connectivity issues, distance, weak 
banking links, cumbersome regulations on both sides and Russia’s restrictive visa regime. 
• Russia’s changed foreign policy posture: 
o Towards Pakistan: Russia in 2014 lifted arms embargo on Pakistan. Russia and Pakistan conducted a 
military exercise in September 2016. In 2017, a military-technical cooperation agreement was signed 
which deals with arms supply and weapon development. All these factors raised concerns in India. 
o Towards China: Increasing strategic military relations between Russia China also impacted India Russia 
relations. Russia has sold advanced military technology to Beijing, endorsed China’s One Belt One Road. 
There has also been concern about Moscow leaning toward Beijing in forums like the BRICS. Also, China 
 
15                                                                                                                                                        
and Russia inaugurated the first cross-border pipeline between their countries, called the “Power of 
Siberia” to pump natural gas to China from Russia’s far-east regions which shows increasing 
collaboration between two. 
o Towards Taliban: Russia is showing inclination towards Taliban in Afghanistan while India continues to 
have concerns about the group. For example, India has not been invited to a crucial meeting being 
convened by Russia on the fast-evolving situation in Afghanistan. 
Way forward 
• Diversifying areas of cooperation: India and Russia will have to diversify their areas of cooperation beyond 
energy and defence. The trade relationship remains weak and needs active intervention to take advantage of 
policies like ‘Make in India’. 
o India and Russia continue to share a common strategic rationale for their relationship. Apart from 
bilateral synergies, the two are members of various multilateral organisations including BRICS, RIC, G20, 
East Asia Summit and SCO—where avenues for cooperation on issues of mutual importance exist. There 
is also a need for cooperation in areas like counter terrorism, cyber security, the Afghanistan conflict, 
outer space, and climate change.  
• India would do well to take steps to shore up its relations with Russia to prevent it from becoming more 
dependent than it already is on China. At the same time, Russia would also benefit from diversifying its 
relations across the region, including India, so as to prevent its pivot to Asia becoming a pivot to China. 
• Relevance in Indo-Pacific region: India would benefit from a closer cooperation with Russia in the Indo-
Pacific. Though Russia’s deteriorating relations with the US make the prospects of such a move difficult, but 
the option of cooperating with India should be considered by the former superpower. 
• Strengthening Eurasian Presence: The proposal of Russia for a ‘more extensive Eurasian partnership 
involving the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and China, India, Pakistan and Iran’ should be used by India to 
strengthen its presence in Eurasia. 
2.2. TALIBAN CONTROL OVER AFGHANISTAN 
Why in news? 
Taliban have seized power in Afghanistan and 
captured Kabul triggered by the U.S. withdrawal. 
Background 
• On February 29, 2020, the United States and 
the Taliban signed an agreement in Doha to 
end the war in Afghanistan. 
• US president Joe Biden had set the date of 31 
August 2021 for final withdrawal of all US 
troops from Afghanistan. 
• The Taliban and their several allied militant 
groups began their offensive in May 2021, 
simultaneous with the withdrawal of most U.S. 
troops from Afghanistan. 
• The Taliban militants entered Kabul on August 
15 and sought the unconditional surrender of 
the central government. 
About Taliban  
• The Taliban, which means “students” in the Pashto language, emerged in 1994 around the southern Afghan city of 
Kandahar.  
• It was one of the factions fighting a civil war for control of the country following the withdrawal of the Soviet 
Union in 1989 and subsequent collapse of the government in 1992. 
• By 1998, it had taken control of almost all of the country and were only removed from power by US-led forces in 
2001. 
• During their rule, they enforced their own hard-liner version of Sharia, or Islamic law, accompanied by introduction 
of brutal punishments, restricting women’s right to education and free movement, banning of music and cinema etc.  
Page 4


 
13                                                                                                                                                        
2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 
2.1. 50 YEARS OF INDO-SOVIET TREATY 
Why in news?  
Recently, the 50th anniversary of the 
Indo-Soviet Treaty on Peace, 
Friendship and Cooperation signed in 
1971 was celebrated.  
Key features of the Treaty 
• Peace:  
o The Treaty declares that 
enduring peace and 
friendship shall prevail 
between the two countries 
and their people. Each Party 
shall respect the 
independence, sovereignty 
and territorial integrity of the other party and refrain from interfering in the other's internal affairs.  
o The treaty declares its determination to halt the arms race and to achieve general and complete 
disarmament, including both nuclear and conventional, under effective international control. 
• Friendship: 
o Guided by the loyalty to the lofty ideal of equality of all People and Nations, irrespective of race or creed, 
the treaty condemned colonialism and reclaimed in all forms and manifestations for their final and 
complete elimination. 
o The treaty aims to maintain regular contacts with each other on major international problems affecting 
the interests of both countries by means of meetings and exchanges of views between their leading 
statesmen. 
• Cooperation:  
o Treaty binds both parties to abstain from providing any assistance to any third party that engages in 
armed conflict with the other Party. In the event of either Party being subjected to a threat, the both 
the Parties shall immediately enter into mutual consultations in order to remove such threat and to take 
appropriate effective measures to ensure peace and the security of their countries. 
o Attaching great importance to economic, scientific and technological co-operation between them, the 
both the Parties will continue to consolidate and expand mutually advantageous and comprehensive co-
operation in these fields as well as expand trade, transport and communications between them on the 
basis of the principles of equality, mutual benefit and most-favoured-nation treatment. 
Significance of the Treaty 
• Upholds principle of Strategic Autonomy: It was not a military alliance. On the contrary, it strengthened the 
basis for India’s strategic autonomy, and its capacity for independent action. 
• International pact: According to experts, the treaty was perhaps the most consequential international pact 
entered into by India since Independence. 
• Convergence of interests: The treaty symbolised an alignment of interests in the face of regional and 
international challenges. It also symbolised an extraordinary convergence of national interest of both 
countries on the most critical issues of war and peace. 
• Contemporary significance: While the Treaty was of historical importance, concluded for an era that “has 
gone by,” its geopolitical underpinnings remain of enduring value, reflected in the close partnership between 
India and Russia in the 21st century, characterised as special and privileged Strategic Partnership. 
Strategic Importance of India Russia relations 
• Defence partnership: The defence ties are one of the highly influential aspects of their relation, and rest on 
3 features of technology transfer, joint development, marketing & selling and export of equipment, an 
 
14                                                                                                                                                        
agreement non-existent with any other country. It has provided significant enhancement to India’s 
indigenous defence manufacturing. 
o Some of the major defence collaboration programs are- BrahMos Cruise Missile program, Sukhoi Su30 
and Tactical Transport Aircraft. 
• Economic Relations: It is an important pillar of the relations yet there remains a lot of scope to improve it 
further. India and Russia are exploring various ways for enhancing bilateral trade.  
• Energy Security: In Energy sector Russia has built nuclear reactors in India (Kudankulam reactors), adopted 
strategic vision in nuclear energy, offered oil, gas and investment opportunities in the fuel sector of Russia 
e.g., Sakhalin- I etc. 
o Both are extending civil nuclear cooperation to 3rd countries, e.g., Bangladesh. 
• Space technology: India and Russia have a four-decade strong relationship in the field of space. The former 
Soviet Union launched India’s first two satellites, Aryabhata and Bhaskar. It has provided India Cryogenic 
technology to build heavy rockets. 
• International standing: Russia has supported India’s bid for permanent seat in UNSC. It has been favouring 
Indian entry to Nuclear Supplier Group. Both countries coordinate each other over various forums including 
BRICS, SCO, G20 etc. 
• Cultural Relations: From people-to-people contacts (through programs like ‘Namaste Russia’) to sharing 
educational brilliance of both the countries through institutes like Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre, both 
the countries have had good 
cultural links.  
Contemporary issues 
India Russia relations have remained 
close, but they have lost intensity of 
India-Soviet relation. Recently, there 
has been a decline in India Russia 
Relations. 
• India’s growing proximity to the 
United States: Rapidly expanding 
ties and growing defence 
relationship between India and US, 
and India joining quadrilateral 
group led by the US has led to a 
strategic shift in Russia’s foreign 
policy. For Russia it has been a period of great hostility with West, thus pushing it to align with China. 
• Defence partnership: 
o India has been recently diversifying its defence relations with US, Israel etc. Russia’s share of Indian 
defence imports fell from 79 percent between 2008-2012 to 62 percent between 2013-2017. 
o India and US signed four foundational agreements (Like Logistics agreement, Basic Exchange and 
Cooperation Agreement etc.), which shows enhanced inter-operability between the two militaries. India 
Russia relation lacks this aspect. 
• One Dimensional Trade: 
o Trade has been one-dimensional i.e., defence based. The trade in 2017-18 was $10.7 billion, which is far 
below potential in comparison to India’s trade with China ($89.7 billion), the United States ($74.5 
billion). 
o There are a number of issues that hinder India-Russia trade, like, connectivity issues, distance, weak 
banking links, cumbersome regulations on both sides and Russia’s restrictive visa regime. 
• Russia’s changed foreign policy posture: 
o Towards Pakistan: Russia in 2014 lifted arms embargo on Pakistan. Russia and Pakistan conducted a 
military exercise in September 2016. In 2017, a military-technical cooperation agreement was signed 
which deals with arms supply and weapon development. All these factors raised concerns in India. 
o Towards China: Increasing strategic military relations between Russia China also impacted India Russia 
relations. Russia has sold advanced military technology to Beijing, endorsed China’s One Belt One Road. 
There has also been concern about Moscow leaning toward Beijing in forums like the BRICS. Also, China 
 
15                                                                                                                                                        
and Russia inaugurated the first cross-border pipeline between their countries, called the “Power of 
Siberia” to pump natural gas to China from Russia’s far-east regions which shows increasing 
collaboration between two. 
o Towards Taliban: Russia is showing inclination towards Taliban in Afghanistan while India continues to 
have concerns about the group. For example, India has not been invited to a crucial meeting being 
convened by Russia on the fast-evolving situation in Afghanistan. 
Way forward 
• Diversifying areas of cooperation: India and Russia will have to diversify their areas of cooperation beyond 
energy and defence. The trade relationship remains weak and needs active intervention to take advantage of 
policies like ‘Make in India’. 
o India and Russia continue to share a common strategic rationale for their relationship. Apart from 
bilateral synergies, the two are members of various multilateral organisations including BRICS, RIC, G20, 
East Asia Summit and SCO—where avenues for cooperation on issues of mutual importance exist. There 
is also a need for cooperation in areas like counter terrorism, cyber security, the Afghanistan conflict, 
outer space, and climate change.  
• India would do well to take steps to shore up its relations with Russia to prevent it from becoming more 
dependent than it already is on China. At the same time, Russia would also benefit from diversifying its 
relations across the region, including India, so as to prevent its pivot to Asia becoming a pivot to China. 
• Relevance in Indo-Pacific region: India would benefit from a closer cooperation with Russia in the Indo-
Pacific. Though Russia’s deteriorating relations with the US make the prospects of such a move difficult, but 
the option of cooperating with India should be considered by the former superpower. 
• Strengthening Eurasian Presence: The proposal of Russia for a ‘more extensive Eurasian partnership 
involving the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and China, India, Pakistan and Iran’ should be used by India to 
strengthen its presence in Eurasia. 
2.2. TALIBAN CONTROL OVER AFGHANISTAN 
Why in news? 
Taliban have seized power in Afghanistan and 
captured Kabul triggered by the U.S. withdrawal. 
Background 
• On February 29, 2020, the United States and 
the Taliban signed an agreement in Doha to 
end the war in Afghanistan. 
• US president Joe Biden had set the date of 31 
August 2021 for final withdrawal of all US 
troops from Afghanistan. 
• The Taliban and their several allied militant 
groups began their offensive in May 2021, 
simultaneous with the withdrawal of most U.S. 
troops from Afghanistan. 
• The Taliban militants entered Kabul on August 
15 and sought the unconditional surrender of 
the central government. 
About Taliban  
• The Taliban, which means “students” in the Pashto language, emerged in 1994 around the southern Afghan city of 
Kandahar.  
• It was one of the factions fighting a civil war for control of the country following the withdrawal of the Soviet 
Union in 1989 and subsequent collapse of the government in 1992. 
• By 1998, it had taken control of almost all of the country and were only removed from power by US-led forces in 
2001. 
• During their rule, they enforced their own hard-liner version of Sharia, or Islamic law, accompanied by introduction 
of brutal punishments, restricting women’s right to education and free movement, banning of music and cinema etc.  
 
16                                                                                                                                                        
 
Key developments after Taliban takeover 
• India conducted Operation Devi Shakti to evacuate 
more than 800 people including its citizens and Afghan 
partners from Afghanistan. 
• Ministry of External Affairs of Government of India 
held meeting with Taliban in Doha, focused on safety, 
security and early return of Indian nationals stranded 
in Afghanistan, and the travel of Afghan nationals, 
especially minorities, to India. 
• The UN Security Council adopted a resolution 
condemning deadly attacks in Afghanistan and 
requiring the Taliban to honour their commitment to 
let people freely leave Afghanistan and raised calls for 
combating terrorism and upholding human rights. 
• The US has frozen 
nearly $9.5 billion in 
assets belonging to 
the Afghan central 
bank and stopped 
shipments of cash to 
the nation. 
Concerns related to 
takeover of Afghanistan 
by Taliban for India 
• Limitations of India’s 
existing approach: 
India has always 
supported “an 
Afghan-led, Afghan-
owned and Afghan-
controlled” process 
for enduring peace 
and reconciliation in 
Afghanistan. It 
involved active 
engagement with the 
elected Afghan 
Government and isolation of the Taliban regime. 
Page 5


 
13                                                                                                                                                        
2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 
2.1. 50 YEARS OF INDO-SOVIET TREATY 
Why in news?  
Recently, the 50th anniversary of the 
Indo-Soviet Treaty on Peace, 
Friendship and Cooperation signed in 
1971 was celebrated.  
Key features of the Treaty 
• Peace:  
o The Treaty declares that 
enduring peace and 
friendship shall prevail 
between the two countries 
and their people. Each Party 
shall respect the 
independence, sovereignty 
and territorial integrity of the other party and refrain from interfering in the other's internal affairs.  
o The treaty declares its determination to halt the arms race and to achieve general and complete 
disarmament, including both nuclear and conventional, under effective international control. 
• Friendship: 
o Guided by the loyalty to the lofty ideal of equality of all People and Nations, irrespective of race or creed, 
the treaty condemned colonialism and reclaimed in all forms and manifestations for their final and 
complete elimination. 
o The treaty aims to maintain regular contacts with each other on major international problems affecting 
the interests of both countries by means of meetings and exchanges of views between their leading 
statesmen. 
• Cooperation:  
o Treaty binds both parties to abstain from providing any assistance to any third party that engages in 
armed conflict with the other Party. In the event of either Party being subjected to a threat, the both 
the Parties shall immediately enter into mutual consultations in order to remove such threat and to take 
appropriate effective measures to ensure peace and the security of their countries. 
o Attaching great importance to economic, scientific and technological co-operation between them, the 
both the Parties will continue to consolidate and expand mutually advantageous and comprehensive co-
operation in these fields as well as expand trade, transport and communications between them on the 
basis of the principles of equality, mutual benefit and most-favoured-nation treatment. 
Significance of the Treaty 
• Upholds principle of Strategic Autonomy: It was not a military alliance. On the contrary, it strengthened the 
basis for India’s strategic autonomy, and its capacity for independent action. 
• International pact: According to experts, the treaty was perhaps the most consequential international pact 
entered into by India since Independence. 
• Convergence of interests: The treaty symbolised an alignment of interests in the face of regional and 
international challenges. It also symbolised an extraordinary convergence of national interest of both 
countries on the most critical issues of war and peace. 
• Contemporary significance: While the Treaty was of historical importance, concluded for an era that “has 
gone by,” its geopolitical underpinnings remain of enduring value, reflected in the close partnership between 
India and Russia in the 21st century, characterised as special and privileged Strategic Partnership. 
Strategic Importance of India Russia relations 
• Defence partnership: The defence ties are one of the highly influential aspects of their relation, and rest on 
3 features of technology transfer, joint development, marketing & selling and export of equipment, an 
 
14                                                                                                                                                        
agreement non-existent with any other country. It has provided significant enhancement to India’s 
indigenous defence manufacturing. 
o Some of the major defence collaboration programs are- BrahMos Cruise Missile program, Sukhoi Su30 
and Tactical Transport Aircraft. 
• Economic Relations: It is an important pillar of the relations yet there remains a lot of scope to improve it 
further. India and Russia are exploring various ways for enhancing bilateral trade.  
• Energy Security: In Energy sector Russia has built nuclear reactors in India (Kudankulam reactors), adopted 
strategic vision in nuclear energy, offered oil, gas and investment opportunities in the fuel sector of Russia 
e.g., Sakhalin- I etc. 
o Both are extending civil nuclear cooperation to 3rd countries, e.g., Bangladesh. 
• Space technology: India and Russia have a four-decade strong relationship in the field of space. The former 
Soviet Union launched India’s first two satellites, Aryabhata and Bhaskar. It has provided India Cryogenic 
technology to build heavy rockets. 
• International standing: Russia has supported India’s bid for permanent seat in UNSC. It has been favouring 
Indian entry to Nuclear Supplier Group. Both countries coordinate each other over various forums including 
BRICS, SCO, G20 etc. 
• Cultural Relations: From people-to-people contacts (through programs like ‘Namaste Russia’) to sharing 
educational brilliance of both the countries through institutes like Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre, both 
the countries have had good 
cultural links.  
Contemporary issues 
India Russia relations have remained 
close, but they have lost intensity of 
India-Soviet relation. Recently, there 
has been a decline in India Russia 
Relations. 
• India’s growing proximity to the 
United States: Rapidly expanding 
ties and growing defence 
relationship between India and US, 
and India joining quadrilateral 
group led by the US has led to a 
strategic shift in Russia’s foreign 
policy. For Russia it has been a period of great hostility with West, thus pushing it to align with China. 
• Defence partnership: 
o India has been recently diversifying its defence relations with US, Israel etc. Russia’s share of Indian 
defence imports fell from 79 percent between 2008-2012 to 62 percent between 2013-2017. 
o India and US signed four foundational agreements (Like Logistics agreement, Basic Exchange and 
Cooperation Agreement etc.), which shows enhanced inter-operability between the two militaries. India 
Russia relation lacks this aspect. 
• One Dimensional Trade: 
o Trade has been one-dimensional i.e., defence based. The trade in 2017-18 was $10.7 billion, which is far 
below potential in comparison to India’s trade with China ($89.7 billion), the United States ($74.5 
billion). 
o There are a number of issues that hinder India-Russia trade, like, connectivity issues, distance, weak 
banking links, cumbersome regulations on both sides and Russia’s restrictive visa regime. 
• Russia’s changed foreign policy posture: 
o Towards Pakistan: Russia in 2014 lifted arms embargo on Pakistan. Russia and Pakistan conducted a 
military exercise in September 2016. In 2017, a military-technical cooperation agreement was signed 
which deals with arms supply and weapon development. All these factors raised concerns in India. 
o Towards China: Increasing strategic military relations between Russia China also impacted India Russia 
relations. Russia has sold advanced military technology to Beijing, endorsed China’s One Belt One Road. 
There has also been concern about Moscow leaning toward Beijing in forums like the BRICS. Also, China 
 
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and Russia inaugurated the first cross-border pipeline between their countries, called the “Power of 
Siberia” to pump natural gas to China from Russia’s far-east regions which shows increasing 
collaboration between two. 
o Towards Taliban: Russia is showing inclination towards Taliban in Afghanistan while India continues to 
have concerns about the group. For example, India has not been invited to a crucial meeting being 
convened by Russia on the fast-evolving situation in Afghanistan. 
Way forward 
• Diversifying areas of cooperation: India and Russia will have to diversify their areas of cooperation beyond 
energy and defence. The trade relationship remains weak and needs active intervention to take advantage of 
policies like ‘Make in India’. 
o India and Russia continue to share a common strategic rationale for their relationship. Apart from 
bilateral synergies, the two are members of various multilateral organisations including BRICS, RIC, G20, 
East Asia Summit and SCO—where avenues for cooperation on issues of mutual importance exist. There 
is also a need for cooperation in areas like counter terrorism, cyber security, the Afghanistan conflict, 
outer space, and climate change.  
• India would do well to take steps to shore up its relations with Russia to prevent it from becoming more 
dependent than it already is on China. At the same time, Russia would also benefit from diversifying its 
relations across the region, including India, so as to prevent its pivot to Asia becoming a pivot to China. 
• Relevance in Indo-Pacific region: India would benefit from a closer cooperation with Russia in the Indo-
Pacific. Though Russia’s deteriorating relations with the US make the prospects of such a move difficult, but 
the option of cooperating with India should be considered by the former superpower. 
• Strengthening Eurasian Presence: The proposal of Russia for a ‘more extensive Eurasian partnership 
involving the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and China, India, Pakistan and Iran’ should be used by India to 
strengthen its presence in Eurasia. 
2.2. TALIBAN CONTROL OVER AFGHANISTAN 
Why in news? 
Taliban have seized power in Afghanistan and 
captured Kabul triggered by the U.S. withdrawal. 
Background 
• On February 29, 2020, the United States and 
the Taliban signed an agreement in Doha to 
end the war in Afghanistan. 
• US president Joe Biden had set the date of 31 
August 2021 for final withdrawal of all US 
troops from Afghanistan. 
• The Taliban and their several allied militant 
groups began their offensive in May 2021, 
simultaneous with the withdrawal of most U.S. 
troops from Afghanistan. 
• The Taliban militants entered Kabul on August 
15 and sought the unconditional surrender of 
the central government. 
About Taliban  
• The Taliban, which means “students” in the Pashto language, emerged in 1994 around the southern Afghan city of 
Kandahar.  
• It was one of the factions fighting a civil war for control of the country following the withdrawal of the Soviet 
Union in 1989 and subsequent collapse of the government in 1992. 
• By 1998, it had taken control of almost all of the country and were only removed from power by US-led forces in 
2001. 
• During their rule, they enforced their own hard-liner version of Sharia, or Islamic law, accompanied by introduction 
of brutal punishments, restricting women’s right to education and free movement, banning of music and cinema etc.  
 
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Key developments after Taliban takeover 
• India conducted Operation Devi Shakti to evacuate 
more than 800 people including its citizens and Afghan 
partners from Afghanistan. 
• Ministry of External Affairs of Government of India 
held meeting with Taliban in Doha, focused on safety, 
security and early return of Indian nationals stranded 
in Afghanistan, and the travel of Afghan nationals, 
especially minorities, to India. 
• The UN Security Council adopted a resolution 
condemning deadly attacks in Afghanistan and 
requiring the Taliban to honour their commitment to 
let people freely leave Afghanistan and raised calls for 
combating terrorism and upholding human rights. 
• The US has frozen 
nearly $9.5 billion in 
assets belonging to 
the Afghan central 
bank and stopped 
shipments of cash to 
the nation. 
Concerns related to 
takeover of Afghanistan 
by Taliban for India 
• Limitations of India’s 
existing approach: 
India has always 
supported “an 
Afghan-led, Afghan-
owned and Afghan-
controlled” process 
for enduring peace 
and reconciliation in 
Afghanistan. It 
involved active 
engagement with the 
elected Afghan 
Government and isolation of the Taliban regime. 
 
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• Revival of terrorism: India faces threat from terrorist factions such as the Haqqani group, which is among 
the United Nations’ designated entities as a terror group and is a key member of the Taliban. It is known for 
engineering and carrying out attacks against Indian assets, including the Indian embassy in Kabul.  
o Also, political instability in Afghanistan can lead to resurgence of other terror groups, such as the al 
Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS).  
• Threat to financial and strategic investments: Over the past years, India has invested an estimated $3 billion 
in projects (see infographic) across Afghanistan and has engaged in other soft power tactics to strengthen 
friendship and goodwill between two nations. Taliban takeover not only poses a security threat to India’s 
assets, but also lays waste to India’s efforts.  
• Increasing influence of China and Pakistan: The nexus between the Taliban and the Inter-Services 
Intelligence of Pakistan raises concerns about Pakistan’s increasing influence within the country. Also, 
absence of U.S. financial and military aid opens up avenues for China to gain influence over the nation. 
• Perpetual Regional instability: The Taliban has no single Afghan identity, and it is heavily dependent on 
various factions representing different regions, tribes and interests. Thus, internal strife may create a 
perpetual instability post the takeover, which has security (rise in terrorism, illicit drug trade etc.) as well as 
economic (impact on bilateral and regional trade etc.) implications for India. 
• Human rights violation: The rule of Taliban may be accompanied by erosion in women’s and minority rights 
and the overturning of a democratic system which stands a concern for India.  
Policy Options available with India 
Given all these concerns, India has following options, none of which are easy, nor without repercussions: 
Option Pros Cons 
Backing only a 
democratically elected 
government in Kabul. 
• Government aligned with Indian 
interests and accumulated goodwill if 
Taliban rule fails. 
• Clarifying India’s stance on possible 
Humanitarian issues associated with 
Taliban led rule.  
• Political stability in the region. 
• Deterioration of India-Afghan relations 
if Taliban establishes lasting rule in 
Afghanistan, with India being left 
behind countries like China and 
Pakistan who are already engaged in 
talks with the Taliban. 
• Possibility of Hostile actions against 
India including terrorist threats. 
Accelerate contacts with 
the Taliban. 
• Ensuring India’s participation in intra 
Afghan dialogue and negotiations. 
• Platform to convey India’s concerns 
regarding terrorism, well being of 
minorities, etc. 
• Hurdles can be posed by Anti-Indian 
factions present in the Taliban. 
• Political Opposition within India. 
Wait and watch, until the 
chaos of conflict reveals a 
winning side, and weigh its 
options accordingly. 
• Balanced approach that provides 
India enough time and knowledge to 
take strategically secure decisions. 
• Denies India relevance at the “high 
table” where Afghanistan’s future is 
being discussed. 
Way Forward 
• Establishing informal links with the Taliban 
government: It would put New Delhi in a stronger 
position to ensure that its assets and investments in 
Afghanistan aren’t imperiled. 
• Broader Diplomatic Engagement: India should 
consider appointing a special envoy dedicated to 
Afghan reconciliation. The envoy can ensure that 
Indian views are expressed at every meeting, broaden 
engagement with the Afghan government and other 
political actors, and reach out to certain Taliban 
representatives.  
• Developmental and Humanitarian aid: Given the 
continued levels of violence and the impact of the 
coronavirus on the Afghan economy, India should 
expand its development assistance.  
Can Taliban achieve international recognition? 
• During the last period of Taliban rule, only a 
handful of countries such as 
Pakistan recognized their government.  
• But their control is more widespread now, and 
foreign officials have been dealing with Taliban 
representatives for some time. Several factors 
that will determine whether Taliban can gain 
international recognition include- 
o Formation of a more inclusive leadership 
representing women and the country’s 
ethnic and religious minorities. 
o Respect for international commitments and 
basic rules of democracy and rule of law. 
o Prevention of international terrorist groups 
from using Afghanistan as a base.