What to Read in The Hindu Editorial (Topic and Syllabus wise)

Editorial 1: The ‘Great Abandonment’ of Afghanistan

Context

The U.S. and Europe have stepped away from Afghanistan’s issues, and India should be concerned about losing influence and connection with the Afghan people.

Introduction

The meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last month drew global attention, but it resonated most with Afghans, many of whom live in exile. Many saw parallels with how the U.S., under Trump and later Joe Biden, lost interest in Afghanistan, cut funding, withdrew, and left the country under Taliban rule.

 

A reflection of the present

• September 2017: Trump signed a deal with then-President Ashraf Ghani, allowing U.S. companies access to rare earth minerals in Afghanistan.
• July 2018: The U.S. began direct negotiations with the Taliban, excluding the elected Afghan government from discussions.
• February 2020: The Doha Accords were signed, favoring the Taliban, with no guarantees on:
  1. A political process
  2. Closure of terror camps
  3. Rights for women and minorities
• The Afghan government had no choice but to accept the agreement, which contributed to its collapse and the Taliban’s takeover.

 

Impact of the U.S. Withdrawal

Period	Key Events	Consequences
2001-2021	Women had access to education, jobs, and leadership roles	Afghanistan had a female presidential candidate
Post-2021 (Taliban 2.0)	Taliban imposed harsh restrictions on women	Girls banned from schools, colleges, and employment
Present Situation	Afghanistan faces severe oppression and isolation	No country officially recognizes the Taliban regime

• Afghanistan has transitioned from a flawed democracy (2001-2021) to a state of total oppression (2021-present).
• A speaker at a recent conference of Afghan exiles in Spain described this shift as the "Great Abandonment" rather than the "Great Game."

 

Global Response to the Taliban’s Rule

Region	Approach Towards the Taliban
U.S. & Europe	Have disengaged, showing little interest in Afghanistan’s affairs.
Russia, China, Pakistan, & Central Asia	Have embraced the Taliban, allowing their flag at embassies.
India	Maintains a cautious stance, engaging diplomatically but not recognizing the regime.

 

India’s Balancing Act

• India’s Current Approach
  1. No formal recognition of the Taliban government.
  2. No support for diplomats of the former Afghan Republic.
  3. Reopened a "technical mission" in Kabul in 2022 for humanitarian engagement.
• Potential Shift in India’s Policy
  1. Sources suggest India may expand its diplomatic presence in Kabul.
  2. Discussions underway to allow a Taliban-appointed Ambassador in New Delhi.
  3. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with Taliban Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai (January 2025) to discuss:
     • Reviving development projects in Afghanistan.
     • Continuing humanitarian aid efforts.
• India is now at a critical juncture, deciding how to engage with the Taliban while safeguarding its strategic and humanitarian interests.

 

Engaging with Taliban 2.0

 

Key Explanations for India's Taliban Outreach

1. Accepting the Reality: "The Taliban is Here to Stay"
   • India recognizes that some level of engagement with the Taliban is inevitable.
   • However, the Taliban’s hold on power is not permanent, as internal conflicts are surfacing:
   • Power struggles exist between the Haqqani faction and Kandahari clerics over girls’ education.
   • India’s key interlocutors within the Taliban, Sher Abbas Stanekzai and Sirajuddin Haqqani, reportedly fled Afghanistan after opposing restrictions on women.
   • Economic instability and foreign aid shortages are worsening:
   • Trump administration’s freeze on USAID and the Chabahar port project have cut financial inflows.
   • Pakistan's deportation of Afghan refugees and border tensions on the Durand Line are adding further pressure.

 

Argument	Counterpoint
India should work closely with the Taliban to provide aid to Afghans.	Between 1996-2001, India delivered aid via other agencieswithout direct engagement.
The Taliban may refuse aid if India does not recognize them.	The Taliban needs Indian aid, making refusal unlikely.

 

3. Fear of Losing Strategic Space in Afghanistan
   • Some argue that India must reopen its embassy in Afghanistan because neighboring countries already have.
   • However, gaining strategic leverage in a Taliban-led regime is highly uncertain, given their fundamentalist ideology.
   • Past India-Afghanistan relations cannot be replicated under Taliban rule:
   • India had a strategic partnership with the Afghan Republic, including:
     • Intelligence-sharing with the National Directorate of Security (NDS).
     • Defense cooperation with the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF).
   • The Taliban, however, targeted Indian missions, workers, and diplomats for over 25 years.

 

Potential Risks for India

• Losing Influence Among Afghans: Many Afghans feel abandoned by India, particularly after:
  1. The Modi government’s refusal to grant visas to Afghans fleeing the Taliban in 2021.
  2. India’s security agencies feared refugees could be potential terrorists.
• Impact on India’s Long-Term Goodwill in Afghanistan

Past Experience	Current Situation
Afghan students, traders, and patients in India built strong goodwill towards New Delhi.	Visa restrictions have alienated many Afghans.
India’s support for Northern Alliance leaders like Ahmad Shah Massoud (1990s) fostered lasting ties.	Afghans loyal to India feel betrayed by the recent outreach to the Taliban.

 

India’s Dilemma: Engage or Distance?

• Current Approach: India is cautiously increasing engagement while avoiding formal recognition of the Taliban.
• Future Outlook:
  1. India must balance humanitarian aid, strategic interests, and historical goodwill.
  2. Any closer ties with the Taliban could further alienate Afghans who once saw India as an ally.

 

Reversing policy

• The government should closely monitor the evolving situation in Afghanistan.
• Any plans that could lead to Taliban influence over the Embassy in Delhi should be reconsidered.
• While ties with Kabul’s regime may be necessary, India must also reconnect with anti-Taliban groups.
• India should raise concerns about women's rights and offer them a platform whenever possible.
• The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should have urged the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to recognize the Afghan women’s cricket team in Australia.
• It is surprising that BCCI did not offer to host the Afghan women's team in India.

 

Conclusion

India should be open to allowing exiled Afghan leaders to hold conferences and discussions in the country to voice their concerns about political representation in Afghanistan. Past experiences in the region have shown that New Delhi must engage with those in power while also maintaining ties with different political groups to stay relevant in any situation.

 

Editorial 2: The Canadian election, shaped by Trudeau and Trump

Context

Whoever emerges victorious will be responsible for guiding Canada through domestic and foreign policy challenges.

Introduction

Canadian politics is going through a major turning point, both within the country and internationally. The two main political parties, the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party, are closely divided, while the Donald Trump presidency in the U.S. is adding pressure on Canada's stability, especially regarding external sovereignty issues. In just a few months, Canada’s political scene has changed significantly. Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lost support within his party and had to step down, allowing Mark Carney to take over as the new leader of the Liberal Party.

• Mark Carney, a newcomer to politics but a well-known economist, saw that his party lacked a majority in Parliament.

 

Factors Behind the Political Resurgence of the Liberal Party

• Impact of the Trump Presidency: The Trump administration has aggressively advocated for Canada’s geographical, political, and economic unification with the U.S. as its 51st state.
  1. U.S. trade policies have further unsettled Canadian sentiments.
• U.S. Tariffs and Canadian Retaliation: On February 1, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China.
• Rising Anti-Trump and Anti-American Sentiments: Opposition to Trump and his policies has surged in Canada, fueling patriotic fervor.
• Nationalistic Response to U.S. Trade Pressure: Canada’s reaction to U.S. tariff measures has been marked by an unprecedented wave of nationalism.

 

On the other side of the fence

• Influence of the Trump Presidency: The Trump administration aggressively pushed for Canada’s integration into the U.S. as its 51st state.
  1. U.S. trade policies created further tensions and unrest in Canada.
• U.S. Tariffs and Canada’s Retaliation: February 1: Trump imposed a 25% tariff on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China.
  1. March: A planned 50% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum was dropped after Canada threatened a 25% tax on electricity exports to the U.S.
• Growing Anti-Trump and Anti-American Sentiments: Opposition to Trump’s policies has led to a rise in nationalism in Canada.
• Nationalist Response to U.S. Trade Tactics: Canada’s reaction to U.S. tariff pressure is marked by strong nationalistic sentiments.

 

U.S.-Canada Trade Disputes at a Glance

Date	U.S. Action	Canada’s Response
Feb 1	25% tariff on imports from Canada, Mexico, China	Strong opposition and public outcry
March	Planned 50% tariff on Canadian steel, aluminum	Threatened 25% tax on electricity exports
Later	U.S. backed off from additional tariffs	Liberal Party capitalized on national unity

 

Outlook for Canada’s ties

• Navigating Domestic and Foreign Policy Constraints
• Impact of Trudeau’s Legacy on Foreign Relations: Trudeau’s policies may continue to strain Canada’s diplomatic ties, especially in Asia.
  1. Relations with India and China remain tense and uncertain due to his political stance.
• Shift in Canada’s Economic Strategy: Ongoing economic disputes with the U.S. could push Canada to strengthen trade ties with Asia and Europe.

 

Conclusion

Both Mr. Carney and Mr. Poilievre have expressed their intent to improve relations with India. However, their efforts could be affected by the political support their parties receive from Mr. Singh’s party, which openly backs Khalistani groups in and outside Canada. While an India-Canada relationship reset is expected, India should remain prepared for any possible outcome.