No rush to recognise Taliban

Prime Minister Modi’s appeal to the global community to not rush into recognising the Taliban government in Afghanistan, which he said was not inclusive enough and was formed without negotiations, has lifted the ambiguity around India’s stand on the new regime. Sticking to the policy of wait and watch as events unfold in the neighbourhood reflects the mounting concerns over the Taliban unwilling to unglue themselves from the brutish and violent blueprint that defined their rule 20 years ago. The PM’s address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit sends a strong message that expecting a hand of friendship should be commensurate with visible change on the ground that shows Kabul’s commitment to peace and basic human rights.

The call to member-countries for a code of conduct to stop terror financing and cross-border terrorism is a timely reminder of what an unstable Afghanistan and a fiddling Pakistan could portend for not only the region, but also countries across the world. The suggestion to formulate a collective template to deal with the challenges of extremism and radicalisation may not find ready acceptance, but the need to confront the trust deficit could, and that’s where India must pull out all stops. The assurance to increase connectivity with Central Asia is an encouraging step on the journey, and needs to be pursued with renewed vigour.

The fallout of the uncontrolled flow of drugs, illegal weapons and human trafficking as a consequence of the deepening economic woes of the Afghan people poses another serious challenge. India has expressed commitment to be a part of any global effort to provide urgent humanitarian aid for Afghanistan, but in an unhindered manner, and for that, it has reiterated support for a central role of the United Nations. Not only for ensuring that the assistance reaches all sections of Afghan society without any discrimination, but also for global deliberation regarding the current system in Afghanistan.