← All questionsGS2 · 2013 · International Relations ·ISAF Withdrawal and India's Interests
MAINS 2013
GS2
10 marks

The proposed withdrawal of International Security Assistance Force from Afghanistan in 2014 is fraught with major security implications for countries of the region. Examine in light of the challenges India faces and its need to safeguard strategic interests.

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What the examiner wants

Examine the security fallout of ISAF's 2014 exit for the region and India's strategic interests.

ExamineGo into the details, test each point against evidence, and conclude on what it shows.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Regional risks: Taliban resurgence, safe havens for LeT and JeM, drug trafficking, refugee flows to Pakistan, Iran, Central Asia≈35 words
  2. 2India's challenges: attacks on Indian assets (Kabul embassy 2008), Pakistan's 'strategic depth', loss of access to Central Asia≈35 words
  3. 3India's stakes: about $3 billion aid (Zaranj-Delaram road, Parliament building, Salma Dam), TAPI, Chabahar route≈35 words
  4. 4Strategy: Strategic Partnership (2011), training Afghan forces, regional diplomacy with Iran, Russia, Central Asia≈35 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

ISAF exitRegional security risksIndia's specific challengesAssets at stakeStrategyHindsight (2021)

Where marks usually go

  • Listing generic terror threats without India's assets
  • Ignoring the Pakistan factor

Draw this

  • Map of Afghanistan showing Indian projects and Chabahar-Zaranj route

Value addition

  • AgreementIndia-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement (2011) was Kabul's first such pact.MEA, 2011
  • EventTaliban took Kabul in August 2021 after the US-Taliban Doha deal (February 2020).Doha Agreement, 2020

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