South Asia affairs – Page 6 – Maj Gen Harsha Kakar (Retd.)

August 25, 2021

Will China’s pro-Taliban game in Afghanistan favour Pakistan India News Network 25 Aug 2021

Will China’s pro-Taliban game in Afghanistan favour Pakistan India News Network 25 Aug 2021 Historically, Afghanistan has been an Indo-Pak battleground. Both nations have sought influence in the country, albeit for different reasons. Whenever India was close to the ruling dispensation in Afghanistan, Pakistan would be concerned. Whenever Pakistan had the Afghan leadership in its pockets, India was concerned. This […]

August 24, 2021

Afghanistan collapse hits American prestige The Excelsior 24 Aug 2021

Afghanistan collapse hits American prestige The Excelsior 24 Aug 2021 The collapse of the democratic government in Afghanistan resulted in President Biden addressing the nation and defending his decision stating that the US could not stay there forever and the Afghan government and army, which it funded, equipped and trained, were responsible for their own country. His own intelligence […]

August 24, 2021

Some things will change, more will remain the same The Statesman 24 Aug 2021

Some things will change, more will remain the same The Statesman 24 Aug 2021 The entry of Taliban 2.0 into Kabul and ongoing talks to form an inclusive government projects a picture that the Taliban is willing to bend to display a positive image. This is being supplemented by statements from their spokespersons, aiming to prove that Taliban 2.0 […]

August 17, 2021

The fall of Afghanistan The Statesman 17 Aug 2021

The fall of Afghanistan The Statesman 17 Aug 2021 The fall of Afghanistan in under 10 days to the ragtag Taliban, leaves more questions than answers. What led to the collapse of the Afghan army, funded by the US and trained by many nations including India, will be studied to draw lessons for the future. Issues assessed will include morale […]

July 21, 2021

Talking to the Taliban is Indian challenge The Statesman 20 Jul 2021

Talking to the Taliban is Indian challenge The Statesman 20 Jul 2021 The world watches as the US withdraws from Afghanistan leaving the country in the throes of civil war. It will complete its withdrawal in the next few weeks by when clashes between the Taliban and Afghan security forces would be at its peak. David Petraeus, an ex-commander […]

July 1, 2021

Why is Pakistan concerned about Afghanistan Bharat Shakti 30 Jun 2021

Why is Pakistan concerned about Afghanistan? Bharat Shakti 30 Jun 2021 In an interview to Tolo News of Afghanistan last week, Pakistan Foreign Minister, SM Qureshi stated, ‘if you try and create this impression that violence is high (in Afghanistan) because of the Taliban…again, that would be an exaggeration. Why do I say that? Aren’t there other elements over […]

June 13, 2021

China in our neighbourhood NAAD Jun 2021

China in our neighbourhood NAAD Jun 2021 In the third week of May, the Sri Lankan parliament passed a law termed as the ‘Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill’ that converted 660 acres of reclaimed land on Colombo’s waterfront into Chinese territory. China had already taken over the Hambantota port, the construction of which was approved, by the current regime […]

May 9, 2021

What US withdrawal means for the region Bharat Shakti 08 May 2021

What US withdrawal means for the region Bharat Shakti 08 May 2021 The US withdrawal, as announced by President Joe Biden, commenced on 01 May. The US will complete it by 11 Sept this year. It is currently handing over its bases and responsibility to the Afghan National Army. Simultaneously, the Taliban have launched their summer offensive. This is […]

May 4, 2021

The future of Afghanistan The Statesman 04 May 2021

The future of Afghanistan The Statesman 04 May 2021 A report stated that talks, sponsored by Turkey, the UN and US, aimed at reaching a power sharing agreement in Afghanistan, scheduled to be held last month in Istanbul, has been pushed to May, as the Taliban indicated their unwillingness to attend. There is a likelihood that these may not […]

April 6, 2021

Support for Taliban must cease for Afghan peace The Statesman 06 Apr 2021

Support for Taliban must cease for Afghan peace The Statesman 06 Apr 2021 Afghanistan, as a nation, has only witnessed wars and bloodshed for the past four decades. Its turmoil began with the Soviet invasion in Dec 1979 and continues to date. The US entered after the 9/11 attack. After two decades, the US is now firming its plans […]