Indo-Afghan Relations

30/04/2024

Enjoyed giving a lecture to doctoral students of Dr. Robert Pauly at the University Southern Mississippi recently. We discussed liberal state-building with a focus on international intervention in Afghanistan during 2001-2021 for lessons to be learned for application today and in the future.

Despite the ad hoc (often year-long) policies, strategies, and approaches pursued by various international actors, we acknowledged the transformational achievements the Afghan people made with international support. However, highlighted that Afghanistan's state-building enterprise remained a work in progress to the end, needing many course-corrections and the adoption of a coherent and well-resourced strategy for a successful exit against what tragically transpired on August 15, 2021.

Argued that such a strategy for success in Afghanistan should have had the following interlocking objectives, whose implementation would enjoy strong political will and support in different capitals:

1. Use any means to stop Pakistan from sponsoring the Taliban to destabilize Afghanistan and derail its state-building process. This was Afghanistan's "mother of problems." But despite occasional efforts, it hardly happened over the course of 20 years

2. Launch and maintain a robust peace process from 2004 on, securing tangible regional cooperation against the reconstitution of the Taliban and their redeployment to destabilize Afghanistan. This didn't materialize even during "surge years," signaling weak or no international commitment to an effective peace process
3. Truly "Afghanize" the security sector: the trillions were spent on international military operations, leaving Afghan forces under-trained, under-equipped, and forever dependent on unreliable mechanisms of support

4. Maintain zero tolerance for corruption across the official elite and leadership of the government, while heavily investing in institutional capacity building and filling institutions of governance and rule of law with merit-based appointees against ethno-nationalist nepotism that became the norm

5. Invest in Afghanistan's infrastructure (air and ground connectivity, agriculture, agri-business, irrigation, water management, etc) and the extractive industries, enabling Afghanistan to achieve economic self-reliance, increasingly financing its own sustainable development. Save for a few projects, the rest proved to be pet projects with no sustainability at all

A lack of political will for success through implementation of a coherent and well-resourced strategy with the above components led to an abrupt withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan and the country's full-fledged return to the Taliban's misrule with far-reaching implications for regional stability and international security, which my recent article discusses:

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗼 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁
https://lnkd.in/g9J-CFxT

28/04/2024

Congratulations to team Afghanistan on an exceptional performance! Our national sports teams from futsal to cricket and football ⚽️ have been making their nation proud, despite the challenges of not having a government, the support and facilities their rival teams enjoy.

https://lnkd.in/eA6G2hBr

26/04/2024

Across South Asia there remain several sticky institutional weaknesses when it comes to climate change. Regional institutions intended to address climate change need both substantial reforms and better funding, writes Ambassador M. Ashraf Haidari. https://www.diplomaticourier.com/posts/addressing-institutional-weaknesses-climate-vulnerable-south-asia

26/04/2024

This , let's remember that the protective and human security of our nations increasingly depends on how well we look after our planet. is one way to do so and in places like Afghanistan, it can save lives almost daily taken by the direct and indirect adverse effects of climate change.

Hundreds of millions of South Asians are vulnerable to climate impact, already displacing millions. In the following piece, I call on the member-states of to fully resource and operationalize the regional environmental organization to play the role its founders had envisioned in 1981: to coordinate and integrate climate action measures for maximum effectiveness in the global fight against climate change:

𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝗩𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮
https://www.diplomaticourier.com/posts/addressing-institutional-weaknesses-climate-vulnerable-south-asia

26/04/2024

The call from South Asia's Tagore for "life in harmony with all existence" is timeless and must underpin every public policy, ensuring sustainability of all biodiversity.

Hundreds of millions of South Asians are vulnerable to environmental degradation and climate impact, already displacing millions. In the following piece, I call on the member-states of to fully resource and operationalize the regional environmental organization to play the role its founders had envisioned in 1981: to coordinate and integrate climate action measures for maximum effectiveness in the global fight against climate change:

𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝗩𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮
https://lnkd.in/eYVRz9U3



https://lnkd.in/eSKvN7Hg

26/04/2024

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26/04/2024

When nations connect through people-to-people ties underpinned by common interests, passions, and concerns, governments -- despite interstate tensions sometimes -- would inevitably follow suit, further pursuing and expanding avenues of win-win cooperation.

Enjoyed speaking alongside leaders , , and . Highlighted the importance of the higher education sector and merit-based scholarships (for qualified foreign students) as means of effective cultural diplomacy, creating goodwill ambassadors for lasting international friendships and partnerships.

Shared my personal experience as an international student, having benefited from generous merit-based scholarships from and . A former internally displaced person (IDP) and refugee would have hardly made it to ambassadorship without these schools' support, empowering me professionally and effectively enabling me to help foster, deepen and maintain strong ties of friendship and partnership between Afghanistan and the United States.

26/04/2024

The impact of slow transition to circular economic growth is already deadly on the growing "bottom billion," climate-vulnerable nations across Asia and Africa. Climate refugees or migrants are estimated to reach a staggering 1.2 billion by 2050 with far-reaching implications for international peace and security. This can be turned around by a rapid shift to circular economy. Thanks to for co-hosting with the Circular Economy Forum. Look forward to the follow-up events.

22/04/2024

This , my take on what it takes to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change in South Asia, the world's most climate-vulnerable region, where climate impact, poverty, protracted conflicts, terrorism and extremism, as well as social polarization have converged, affecting ordinary South Asians the most.

Coordination and integration of environmental policymaking and policy implementation remain weak in South Asia, even though was established in 1981 to address effectively region-wide environmental degradation and ecological concerns. In this article, I renew my early calls, as former SACEP Director-General, on the member-states to fund, staff and fully operationalize SACEP to achieve its core mission objectives, which South Asian leaders had envisioned when they founded the intergovernmental organization.

Meantime, I request multilateral climate organizations and funds to support SACEP's regional efforts in the global fight against climate change.

Link: https://www.diplomaticourier.com/posts/addressing-institutional-weaknesses-climate-vulnerable-south-asia

02/04/2024

My latest take discusses how the Taliban’s unprecedented strategic gains in 2021 and developments since then have inspired and rekindled global terrorism, including recent attacks by ISKP operating out of Afghanistan, and what to do about it.

"...If major world powers fail to act together and in full solidarity with one another, consistent with the principal goals of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, Taliban-inspired terrorist attacks will eventually spare and leave no one behind..."

Full article:
https://lnkd.in/eMMm9YAS

26/03/2024

19/03/2024

11/03/2024

Wishing all observers a blessed . More than fasting, Ramadan is a month of self-reflection, forgiveness, solidarity, charity, sharing one's bread with others, as well as practicing greater Jihad for peace, reconciliation, and shared wellbeing.

In Afghanistan, Ramadan is an opportunity for the Taliban to shed greed, ignorance, and foreign influence, embracing Islam in its entirety to end unprecedented human suffering in the country.

Most unlikely, they may engage in greater Jihad by inviting all Afghan sides to a month-long peace Loya Jirga to debate, negotiate, and form an inclusive government. Such Ramadan-sanctioned step for lasting comprehensive peace and reconciliation should end Afghanistan’s global isolation and the multiple crises facing Afghans brought about by a lack of national legitimacy and international recognition.

19/02/2024

‏همانطور که در مصاحبه اخیرم اشاره کردم، نشست دوحه نتایج اولیه را به شرح زیر در بر می‌گیرد:

1️⃣ شرکت کنندگانی که از منشور سازمان ملل متحد حمایت می کنند و خواستار گفتگوهای فراگیر و همه جانبه میان همه طرف های افغانی برای رسیدگی به علت اصلی چالش های فزاینده افغانستان هستند: طالبان، فاقد مشروعیت ملی و رسمیت خارجی.

2️⃣ سایر کشورهای عضوی که صرفاً به خاطر منافع ژئواستراتژیک خود در حال حاضر، بدون توجه به آرمان های مردم مستقل افغانستان که خواستار تشکیل یک دولت فراگیر و قانونی مطابق با منشور ملل متحد و تعهدات بین المللی افغانستان هستند، در کنار طالبان قرار گرفتند.

3️⃣ وظیفه سازمان ملل از طریق یک مأموریت قوی و یک فرستاده ویژه توانا: کار با همه طرف ها -- ذینفعان داخلی و خارجی -- برای ایجاد اجماع کافی برای اقدام مشخص در میان نیروهای واگرا، به نفع دراز مدت افغان های رنج دیده که مستحق یک دولت مدرن در برابر وضعیت موجود قرون وسطایی هستند -- که این مستقیماً به حفظ ثبات منطقه ای و امنیت بین المللی کمک می کند.

4️⃣ طرف های افغان برای صلح پایدار: آنها باید درک کنند که بدون اتحاد ملی در برابر نیروهای غیرقابل عبور که منافع خارجی را در برابر منافع افغان ها اولویت می دهند، افغانستان قربانی بازیگران ژئوپلیتیکی رقابتی و متضاد فزاینده خواهد شد. این مسئولیت ملی طرف‌های افغانی است که متحد شوند و سیستم ‎ را به کار بیاندازند و نتایجی محسوس را در مطابقت با مفاد "صلح و توسعه پایدار" منشور سازمان ملل که مردم افغانستان به طور گسترده خواستار آن هستند، حاصل کنند.

As I pointed out in this recent interview, the Doha Meeting has already delivered initial results as follows:

-Participants that uphold the Charter and call for inclusive, comprehensive talks among all Afghan sides to address the root-cause of Afghanistan's growing challenges: the Taliban, lacking national legitimacy and external recognition

-Other member-states that side with the Taliban purely out of geostrategic self-interest at the moment without any regard for the aspiration of the sovereign people of Afghanistan, who demand formation of an inclusive, legitimate government, consistent with the UN Charter and Afghanistan’s international obligations

-UN's task thru a strong mandate and a capable special envoy: to work with all sides -- internal and external stakeholders -- to bring about adequate consensus for concrete action among the diverging forces, in the best long-term interest of suffering Afghans -- deserving a modern government against the medieval status quo -- which would directly help maintain regional stability and international security

-Afghan sides for sustainable peace: to digest the fact that without unity against insurmountable forces that prioritize external interests against those of Afghans, Afghanistan would remain a victim of competing and increasingly conflicting geopolitical actors. It's Afghan sides' national responsibility to unite and make the system work and deliver results, consistent with "sustainable peace and development" provided for by the UN Charter and overwhelmingly demanded by the Afghan people



English link:
https://lnkd.in/ehBsn3aV

Farsi link:
https://lnkd.in/erYn2sba

18/01/2024

The right to formal is espoused in the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of which Afghanistan is a signatory. The international community has a responsibility to ensure Afghan girls are extended this right, writes Ambassador M. Ashraf Haidari. https://www.diplomaticourier.com/posts/danger-lacking-formal-education-afghanistan

17/01/2024

My latest take discusses the danger of failing to restore the basic human right to formal education in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan where radicalization of the Afghan society thru "madrassa education" is carrying far-reaching implications for regional stability and international security:

https://www.diplomaticourier.com/posts/danger-lacking-formal-education-afghanistan

"...the only alternative to formal education is modern education itself. Others are shortcuts that can be exploited to encourage and hasten the process of radicalizing Afghan youth away from the pursuit of employable education and skills that would guarantee them a sustainable livelihood in the global competitive marketplace. When prospectless youth are exposed to a globalized world but denied the opportunity to become responsible productive citizens, they easily fall prey to recruitment by diehard extremist groups, like the Taliban, intending to expand their 'su***de terrorist brigade' with members coming from madrassas and other radicalizing entities.

That is why despite their geopolitical differences, major member-states of the UN—including the United States, China, Russia, India, and leading member-states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)—do share a self-interest in helping rationalize the status quo in Afghanistan. It is morally and legally incumbent upon the international community to help unshackle Afghanistan from the dark forces of extremism, terrorism, and criminality. These threats have grown in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan since 2021 and carry far-reaching implications for regional stability and international peace, as the UN has repeatedly warned its member-states in report after report.

With stabilization of Afghanistan in their shared self-interest, international stakeholders should translate their consensus into a tangible program of action under international law for implementation by the UN. This means leveraging their combined influence to help all Afghan sides, including the Taliban, form an inclusive government that enjoys internal legitimacy and external recognition, thereby permanently securing Afghans’ human rights, including the right to a formal education."

United Nations UNESCO UNAMA News UNICEF

14/12/2023

My take -- "How the Global Refugee Forum Can Help End Afghanistan’s Refugee Crisis" -- discusses concrete short- and long-term solutions, as the GRF convenes in Geneva to pledge support for the world's 114 million displaced population, including 35 million refugees:

https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/how-the-global-refugee-forum-can-help-end-afghanistans-refugee-crisis/

"For the GRF to help address the problems of Afghan refugees on a sustainable basis, participants should consider a two-pronged approach. Foremost, the absence of an inclusive Afghan government with internal legitimacy and external recognition remains the root-cause of Afghans’ continued migration. GRF participants, including states with a stake in sustainable peace in Afghanistan, should reaffirm their commitment to and mobilize the necessary resources for helping all Afghan sides, including the Taliban, to form a representative government as a durable solution to most of Afghanistan’s growing problems, including its refugee crisis.

Second, while results-driven work is done on the political solution to the Afghan refugee problem, UNHCR and its implementing partners must be adequately resourced to address the various challenges facing Afghanistan’s displaced communities at home, in neighboring countries, and across the world. Inside the country, priority must be given to relief and recovery support to the Afghan IDP population, while adequate reintegration assistance should be provided to Afghan refugees forcibly deported by Pakistan and Iran.

In the said neighboring countries, global aid should focus on the education and technical skills development needs of Afghan refugees, preparing them for local employment, resettlement in a third country, or voluntary repatriation when Afghanistan has stabilized on a sustainable basis. Providing indirect support through host countries has borne little results, since corruption, discrimination, and related bureaucratic issues prevent aid from reaching the targeted beneficiaries.

Finally, in the developed countries, assistance should focus on provision of psycho-social services, language lessons, job training, and job placement, effectively enabling the newly resettled Afghans to begin their journey of integration into their new societies.

Almost 2,500 years ago, the Greek dramatist Euripides wrote, “There is no greater sorrow on Earth than the loss of one’s native land.” For Afghans, too, the tragedy of losing their beautiful homeland to the imposed conflicts of the past four decades is no less tolerable. In the coming days, they count on the GRF participants to reverse this tragic experience by helping restore sustainable peace in Afghanistan as the only durable solution to the plight of its refugees."

11/11/2023

Wishing all my Hindu compatriots in Afghanistan and abroad, Indian and Sri Lankan friends and others around the world, who celebrate, a joyful . May the light of Diwali spread peace, prosperity, happiness, and fine health across South Asia and the rest of the world.

23/10/2023

Historic victory over Pakistan in a superbly well-played game long to be remembered in Afghanistan and South Asia.

This follows our 🏏 team's deserved win over England, another established team.

Congratulations to ;
keep up the momentum to bring home the Cup!

20/03/2023

marks new beginnings: a new year, the arrival of spring, and the renewal of nature. Nowruz-belt nations use the occasion to plant trees to rejuvenate their environment, naturally fighting climate change and benefiting all. Afghans will widely celebrate, despite any bans.

‏نوروز نشانه آغازی تازه است: سال نو، فرا رسیدن بهار و تجدید طبیعت. ملت های کمربند نوروزی از این مناسبت برای نهال شانی استفاده می کنند. این به طور طبیعی با تغییرات آب و هوایی مبارزه می کند و به نفع همه است. با وجود ممنوعیت های طالبان،‌ افغانها به طور گسترده نوروز‌ را تجلیل می‌کنند.

https://t.co/2bb86ziMgi