Reference to Indian express Indian India showed a careful diplomatic move by joining the Taliban, Pakistan, China, and Russia in opposing former US President Donald Trump’s proposal to retake control of Afghanistan’s Bagram air base.This joint position came just days before the Taliban Foreign Minister’s planned visit to India from Nepal
The decision came out in a joint statement after the Moscow Format talks on Afghanistan held on Tuesday. Not directly referred to, the statement embarked on a direct reference to Bagram, that stated that, the efforts undertaken by nations to install their military infrastructure in Afghanistan and the adjoining states are unacceptable.
Moscow Format: An Integrated Regional Speech.
On the seventh round of the Moscow Format Consultations, representatives and senior officials of India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan were present. It is the first time that the Taliban Foreign Minister is attending in a role of a full member and this has changed the attitude towards the foreign interaction in Afghanistan. Belorussian delegation was also present as a guest.
The conference aimed to strengthen regional cooperation and support Afghanistan’s independence, unity, and peace. The participants pointed out that the presence of foreign military would not help in bringing stability and peace in the region.
Demand Renewed of Bagram by Trump.
The argument by Donald Trump claiming to reclaim the Bagram air base has raised the question again in the international arena. During a press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the former president said that the United States was trying to take back Bagram because leaving it had been a mistake.
He issued his warnings two days later on his Truth Social platform that without Afghanistan giving back the base, bad things will happen.
The reply to this was swift and decisive by the Taliban.Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that Afghans would never allow anyone to buy or take their land in any way..
The Indian Strategy: Strategic Balancing Act.
That India has joined the joint statement is itself a very atypical gesture, and an indirect way of casting the Indian capital out of the Washingtonian present-day geopolitical programme. Although India hasn’t officially recognized the Taliban government, it still sends humanitarian and development aid to help people in Afghanistan.
India seems to be signaling a working foreign policy through its involvement of rejecting the Trump plan by its side, as well as in the lead up to the historic visit Amir Khan Muttaqi, the first ever Taliban foreign minister to visit India.
Why Bagram Matters
The Bagram air base is the largest military base and the most strategic in the whole of Afghanistan and is located roughly about 50 kilometers north of Kabul since it is the capital city of Afghanistan. It consists of two long air runways, the first one of which is 3.6 km long and the second 3 km long that are designed to serve large aircraft and carrier of heavy weapons.
Bagram has been an important operational center during the US led war on terror. Bagram’s location makes it one of the few places in Afghanistan where large-scale air operations are possible. Controlling Bagram gives a strong military and political advantage in the region.
Regional Focus: Peace, Stability, as well as Economic Integration.
The Moscow Format joint statement highlighted joint efforts to fight terrorism and urged all parties to help Afghanistan remove terrorist groups from its land. The members agreed to eliminate these threats quickly to prevent them from spreading to other countries.
There was also a call to strengthen economical and trade relations, as well as to cooperate in such matters as healthcare, agriculture, poverty issues, and disaster elimination. The nations have shown readiness to incorporate Afghanistan in regional connectivity projects indicating that they are making attempts to make Kabul a part of global development projects.
India sees this regional connectivity as a subtle message to Washington, especially after the US lifted sanctions on Iran’s Chabahar Port, which India uses as a key route to Afghanistan.
Humanitarian Aid and Universal Open Door.
The countries involved in the process renewed their desire to assist the people in Afghanistan through humanitarian activities. They further encouraged the global community not to politicize relief operations but this should be directed towards human interest and not political interest.
The UN Security Council has passed through special travel permissions that Amir Khan Muttaqi would make an impending visit to New Delhi between October 9 and 16. Being a legitimate Taliban leader under the solution of the UNSC Resolution 1988 (2011), Muttaqi had to have the trip formally approved, which is regarded as a diplomatic measure.
Conclusion: A Redefining Moment in the Regional Diplomacy.
New Indian policy Applying to its regional counterparts, India has decided to rebel against the entreaty of Trump, which is a strategic realignment of its foreign policy. Although New Delhi is still in support of peace and humanitarian intervention in Afghanistan, it has claimed to be free in making its regional decisions.
When the foreign minister of Afghanistan visits India in the first time, the discussion is likely to stay on stability in the region, counter terrorism and development by all. The current position in Bagram may be an indication of a new era in South and Central Asian relationships a period where force will be equalized by collaboration instead of opposition.
