Indo-Afghan Bilateral Relations - 1 | UPSC Mains: International Relations PDF Download

Introduction

The relationship between India and Afghanistan dates back to ancient times, during the era of the Indus Valley Civilization. However, it was only after India gained independence that a formal relationship was established between the two countries. This was initiated in January 1950 when India's Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru signed a five-year Treaty of Friendship with Mohammad Najibullah, the Afghan Ambassador to India. This treaty marked the beginning of a strong and enduring relationship between India and Afghanistan, grounded in their shared historical and cultural connections.

Recent Updates on India-Afghanistan Relations

• Humanitarian Aid: On October 18, 2023, the Indian Foreign Secretary initiated a convoy of wheat as humanitarian aid for Afghanistan at the India-Pakistan integrated check post. This aid is part of the 50,000 MT of wheat promised by the Indian government to assist the Afghan people. The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) in Afghanistan will receive this wheat. 
• Public Sentiment:. recent survey revealed that 69% of Afghan people consider India as Afghanistan's 'best friend.' This reflects the positive perception and strong ties between the two nations. 
• Development Projects: The Taliban regime in Afghanistan has urged India to resume and complete the development projects that were initiated by India before. Following a year of closure, India's embassy in Kabul has reopened, indicating a potential thaw in relations and a willingness to engage in developmental activities. 

 Historical Overview of India-Afghanistan Relations 

• The ties between the people of Afghanistan and India first began with the Indus Valley Civilization, marking the foundation of India-Afghanistan Relations.
• After Alexander’s Invasion, Afghanistan came under the rule of the successor state of the Seleucid Empire.
• Before the arrival of Islam in the 7th century, much of Afghanistan was influenced by Buddhist, Hindu, and Zoroastrian civilizations brought from India by the Mauryans, who also dominated the region south of the Hindu Kush. Although many Afghans converted to Islam, Muslims and Hindus coexisted in Afghanistan during this period.

 Colonial Phase:

• Two Anglo-Afghan Wars were fought between British India and Afghanistan in 1839-1842 and 1878-1880.
• A boundary line known as the Durand Line was established between Afghan and British territories. However, the Durand Agreement (1893) failed to maintain peace, leading to tribal uprisings that lasted until 1898.
• Viceroy Curzon adopted a strategy of seclusion and focus, replacing British troops with tribal forces trained and led by British officers.
• Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan of Afghanistan, a significant figure in the Indian independence movement, supported the Indian National Congress, strengthening India-Afghanistan Relations.

 Post-Independence Phase:

• In 1949, the Treaty of Friendship was signed between India and Afghanistan to establish diplomatic ties and deepen relations.
• Diplomatic relations between India and Afghanistan strengthened during the 1950s and 1960s.
• India was among the first non-Communist nations to accept the Soviet Union’s administration after its 1979 invasion of Afghanistan.
• Until the rise of the Taliban in the 1990s, India supported successive regimes in Afghanistan.
• India did not recognize the Taliban’s rise to power in 1996, a stance shared by most other nations.
• Relations between India and Afghanistan improved significantly after the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent U.S.-led war in Afghanistan.

 India-Afghanistan Relations: Overview 

• Official Name: Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
• Capital City: Kabul
• Prime Minister: Hasan Akhund
• Currency: Afghani
• Type of Government: Unitary provisional theocratic Islamic emirate 
• Neighbouring Countries: Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, China, India (through the Wakhan Corridor, which lies in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir)

India-Afghanistan Relations 

 Political Relations:

• 2001: During Operation Enduring Freedom, India provided information and logistical support to the Allied forces. Following the overthrow of the Taliban, India established diplomatic relations with the new civilian government and participated in relief and rehabilitation efforts in Afghanistan.
• 2005: India advocated for Afghanistan's membership in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), demonstrating its support for Afghanistan's regional integration.
• 2006: During President Hamid Karzai's visit to India in April, three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed between the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Afghan National Standardisation Authority. These agreements focused on rural development, education, and standardisation, reflecting India's commitment to Afghanistan's development.
• 2011: India and Afghanistan signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement aimed at strengthening ties through the rebuilding of Afghanistan's infrastructure and institutions, education, and technical assistance. This agreement marked a significant step in bilateral relations.
• 2015: In December, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kabul to inaugurate the newly constructed Afghan parliament (National Assembly), built by India at a cost of $90 million. This project symbolised India's commitment to supporting Afghanistan's democratic institutions.
• 2016: India gifted four Mi-25 Attack helicopters to the Afghan Air Force, marking a new chapter in India-Afghanistan relations by enhancing Afghanistan's security capabilities. 
• 2019: In August, Prime Minister Modi extended wishes to Afghanistan on the 100th anniversary of its independence, further strengthening the bond between the two nations.