The Centre for Afghanistan Studies hosted an online public lecture titled “Regional Perspectives on Afghanistan’s Road to Peace: Part of the Problem or Solution?” on 24th April 2021.
Event Description
The Doha Agreement inked between the United States of America and the Taliban in February 2020 was touted by the Trump administration as a potential harbinger of an end to the prolonged armed conflict in Afghanistan. However, the agreement was besieged by challenges from the outset and negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government have stuttered and appear to have reached a deadlock. The two sides appear to differ significantly on the nature of the country’s socio–political architecture. Afghan civilians meanwhile continue to bear the brunt of the rising tide of violence orchestrated by the Taliban. Developments in Afghanistan are arguably going to have reverberations beyond the country’s borders which will be most profoundly felt in its immediate neighbourhood. In this context as the US pairs down its presence in the country what are some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities before Kabul? How do Afghanistan’s neighbours view the on–going developments? Are the neighbours a piece of the peace puzzle in Afghanistan? or do their interests cast a shadow over attempts to negotiate an end to the four decade long protracted conflict in Afghanistan?
Programme:
- 12:30 – 12:40 Opening Remarks Prof. Raghav Sharma, Associate Professor and Director, Centre for Afghanistan Studies
- 12:40 – 12:55 The View from Islamabad Mr. Afrasiab Khattak, Former Senator, Pakistan
- 12:55 – 13:10 Perspectives from New Delhi Ambassador Vivek Katju, Former Secretary Ministry of External Affairs & Former Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan
- 13:10 – 13:25 Kabul’s Dilemma and Strategic Choices Hon’ble Consul General Zakia Wardak, Consul General of Afghanistan, Consulate of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Mumbai
- 13:25 – 14:25 Discussion
- 14:25 – 14:30 Closing Remarks Prof. Bilquees Daud, Lecturer and Assistant Director, Centre for Afghanistan Studies
About the Event:
The event brought together a distinguished panel of experts including Mr. Afrasiab Khattak, Former Senator of Pakistan; Ambassador Vivek Katju, Former Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan; and Hon’ble Consul General Zakia Wardak, Consul General of Afghanistan in Mumbai. The session was moderated by Prof. Raghav Sharma, Director of the Centre for Afghanistan Studies, with concluding remarks delivered by Prof. Bilquees Daud, Assistant Director of the Centre.
Framed against the 2020 Doha Agreement between the United States and the Taliban, panellists considered the tenuous road to peace in Afghanistan amidst troubled negotiations and growing violence. The discussion looked at the different ways regional players view Afghanistan’s shifting political dynamics, with some debating whether or not neighbouring states are stabilizers or contributors to instability.
Mr. Khattak shared his thoughts from Islamabad, underlining Pakistan’s strategic calculus and the historical complexities influencing its policy toward Afghanistan. Ambassador Katju shared the Indian perspective, underscoring New Delhi’s role in supporting democratic governance and regional stability. Hon’ble Consul General Zakia Wardak reflected on Kabul’s internal dilemmas and the difficult strategic choices confronting Afghan leadership amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.
The event came to a close with a lively discussion on the interrelationship between regional interests, national sovereignty, and the overall pursuit of peace in Afghanistan. The dialogue emphasized the dire need for inclusive diplomacy and continuous regional cooperation to put an end to the protracted conflict of the country.