India on Afghan high table keeps a close watch on proposed peace deal

The Modi government is keeping a close watch on the proposed deal and its impact on Indian interests in Afghanistan where India has invested heavily in infrastructure projects, development initiatives and capacity building programmes, ET has learnt.

The USA has proposed to Ghani a UN-convened meeting of representatives of six countries, including India, to discuss a “unified approach to supporting peace in Afghanistan”. The US is asking the United Nations (UN) to convene foreign ministers and envoys from Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, India and the US. This is as the first step of a four-pronged strategy meant to “move matters more fundamentally and quickly toward a settlement and a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire”.

While India has been present at various fora from time to time during the last 20 years on the Afghan peace process, this is the first time India is on the high table along five other countries who matter in shaping the future of the land locked country, highly placed sources told ET. The inclusion of India on the high table proves that New Delhi has an important role to play in Afghanistan, sources added.

India has been in separate bilateral talks with the USA, Russia and Iran on Afghan peace process. Besides few months back India was part of a trilateral meet in Moscow involving the hosts and Iran on Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s future setup, a transitional government and a political roadmap for lasting ceasefire are part of the draft deal.
Taliban is expected to join Parliament as per the draft deal. The draft deal states that Islam is the official religion of the country and that Afghanistan is the common home for all ethnic and religious groups. In addition, the draft proposes a new constitution and says it will protect the rights of women and children.

In his letter to Ghani US Secretary of State Anthony J Blinken said Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, India and the US “share an abiding common interest in a stable Afghanistan” and thus these countries “must work together” in order to “succeed”.

Describing the other steps, Blinken said he has directed US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad to prepare “written proposals aimed at accelerating discussions on a negotiated settlement and ceasefire”.

The USA has also asked Turkey to host a senior-level meeting of the Taliban and Afghan government “in the coming weeks to finalise a peace agreement”.