10.1 India- Afghanistan Relations

. India- Afghanistan Relations ( India has sought to establish its presence in Afghanistan from the early days of its independence in .In , Afghanistan and India signed a “Friendship Treaty.” India had robust ties with Afghanistan during King Zahir Shah’s regime. Prior to the Soviet invasion in , India had formalized agreements and protocols with various Pro-Soviet regimes in Kabul. While India’s role in Afghanistan was constrained during the Anti-Soviet jihad, between and , India expanded its development activities in Afghanistan, focusing upon industrial, irrigation, and hydroelectric projects. After the Taliban consolidated their hold on Afghanistan in the mid-1990s, India King Zahir Shah struggled to maintain its presence and to support anti-Taliban forces. However, Indian objectives in Afghanistan remained modest given the constrained environment. India aimed to undermine the ability of the Taliban to consolidate its power in Afghanistan, principally by supporting the Northern Alliance in tandem with other regional actors. Working with Iran, Russia, and Tajikistan, India provided important resources to the Northern Alliance, the only meaningful challenge to the Taliban in Afghanistan. Since , India has relied upon development projects and other forms of humanitarian assistance. Expanding India’s presence in Afghanistan through increased Indian training of Afghan civilian and military personnel, development projects, and expanded economic ties. India and Pakistan competition in Afghanistan is seen as a new “Great Game”. In , India proposed Afghanistan’s membership in SAARC and in April , it joined. India-Afghanistan: Strategic interests Afghan is India’s natural ally. India is interested in retaining Afghanistan as a friendly state from which it has the capacity HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE INFRASTRUCTURE ( ) – ‘ ( ) ( ) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONNECTIVITY CAPACITY BUILDING / /

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