| ID | 164121 |
| Title Proper | Evolving scenario in Afghanistan |
| Other Title Information | implications For India |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Sharma, BK |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | From the dawn of history Afghanistan has remained at the centre–stage of peace and conflict in the Indian subcontinent. The ‘Old Silk Route’ formed the crucible of trade, science, spirituality and cross-fertilisation of civilisations, connecting the Indian sub-continent-Central Asia-West Asia and China. On the flip side, many invasions; notably led by Alexander, Tamerlane, Ghauri, Ghaznvi, Babur, staged through Afghanistan into India thus redrawing the sociopolitical landscape of the region. Afghanistan was the fulcrum of the first Great Game of the 19th Century between the British India and the Russian empire. The two great powers realised the futility of subjugating Afghanistan and settled for creating it as a buffer state. The 2nd Great Game in the Eighties (1979-1989) between the US – Saudi Arabia – Pakistan alliance against the Soviet Union legitimised the use of Islamist Jihad as an instrument of state policy. Post the US exit, the Af – Pak region emerged as the epicentre of international terrorism. In the fall of eighties, Pakistan military establishment directed Afghan trained Jihadists to wage a proxy war in Kashmir. The 3rd Great Game began in the wake of 9/11 which saw the ouster of Taliban regime and onset of democracy in Afghanistan, albeit in the middle of a virulent conflict unleashed by Pakistan sponsored Taliban and hosts of other militant groups, including Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP). Talibanistan of Afghanistan or spread of rabid Wahabi – Salafi ideology does not bode well for regional peace and stability. |
| `In' analytical Note | USI Journal Vol. 148, No.613; Jul-Sep 2018: p.331-40 |
| Journal Source | USI Journal 2018-09 148, 613 |
| Key Words | Afghanistan ; Implications for India |