EVENT DATE : TUESDAY, 10 AUGUST
As the last of US troops withdraw, Afghanistan’s rapid descent into chaos and violence has already begun. This puts at risk the huge investments India has made towards rebuilding that nation over the past decade.
Should India accept the ground reality of Taliban’s imminent takeover and join the other regional powers including Russia, Iran and China in engaging with it? Or should India stay firm in its commitment to democracy and offer greater support to the civilian government of Afghanistan in its hour of need?
It’s a tough choice. Isolating itself by being the only major power opposing Taliban may not serve India’s national interests but partnering with a terrorist group known for abusing women would be a betrayal of India’s national values. Looking away and doing nothing in the face of unfolding civil war would also be a choice, a choice to relinquish to China India’s long standing claim to South Asian leadership. The choice that India makes will have long term ramifications not only for Afghanistan but for India’s self identity.
We believe the subject is important enough to warrant an open and candid debate, whereby it can be examined from multiple dimensions by experts with varied viewpoints.