In today’s world, equations change quickly. In diplomacy, arch rivals become friends, and close friends become enemies. Many unexpected developments are taking place between India, China, and Pakistan. US President Donald Trump is responsible for these unexpected developments. In light of Trump’s arbitrary attitude, India has taken a step that America could not even imagine. The Modi government has altered its strategy to respond to Trump’s bullying, the results of which were evident in the Moscow format meeting. The issue was the Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan, once a US military base. A few days ago, Trump demanded the return of Bagram Airbase from the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan, threatening that if Bagram Airbase was not returned to the US, it would be disastrous for Afghanistan. The Taliban rejected Trump’s demand and clearly stated that Afghanistan would not hand over its land to the US under any circumstances. Bagram Airbase is one of the largest airbases in the world and is an hour’s drive from China’s nuclear weapons manufacturing site. Trump wants to neutralize China’s influence by regaining this airbase.
The truth is, Bagram was indeed a US military base for 20 years. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers, when US forces were fighting al-Qaeda and the Taliban, American operations were conducted from Bagram. However, the original developer of Bagram Air Base was the Soviet Union, built in the 1950s during the reign of Zahir Shah, a monarchy in Kabul. The Soviet Union decided to withdraw from Afghanistan in the 1980s. Following the launch of the US “war on terror” in 2001, Bagram Air Base became a central location of US military power in Afghanistan. However, reclaiming Bagram isn’t just about Trump’s self-proclaimed stance to address the Chinese threat; it also highlights broader regional challenges that have been unfolding since August 2021. In August 2021, under then-President Joe Biden, the US military withdrawal from Bagram was conducted under dramatic and chaotic circumstances. On August 30, 2021, the last US soldier departed home aboard a US Air Force C-17 transport aircraft. This coincided with the return of Afghanistan to the Taliban. The US military fought a nearly two-decade-long war in Afghanistan, but this war failed to reach a decisive conclusion.
In a surprise development at the Moscow Format meeting, India, along with the Taliban, Pakistan, China, and Russia, opposed President Donald Trump’s attempt to seize Bagram Air Base. This incident occurred just days before the visit of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Multaki, to India. The Moscow Format joint statement stated that US attempts to acquire military infrastructure in Afghanistan and neighboring states are unacceptable as they threaten regional peace and stability. India, Pakistan, the Taliban, China, and Russia have united against Trump’s stubbornness. Trump has been clearly told not to dream of seizing Bagram Air Base.
The establishment of any foreign military base in Afghanistan or its neighboring countries will not be tolerated. This is a historic step, especially from India’s perspective, because for the first time, India has so openly opposed the US, and that too just before the Taliban Foreign Minister’s visit to India. This means that India has now sent a clear message to the world: this is a new India, which will speak out openly when it feels it is wrong. India is preparing to host the Taliban’s foreign minister and has taken a rare step by opposing the US president’s plan. Although India has not yet officially recognized Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, it has been providing humanitarian and development assistance. Interestingly, ahead of Muttaqi’s first visit to India, a historic first for a Taliban foreign minister, India has also joined the opposition to Trump’s plan.
India and Afghanistan’s ties date back to the Vedic era, as Gandhara was once considered a part of India. India has played a significant role in Afghanistan’s reconstruction. Although India has not recognized the Taliban, it has always provided humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. India built roads, dams, schools, hospitals, and the Parliament building. Despite Taliban rule, India has provided humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan by sending food grains, medicines, earthquake relief, COVID vaccines, and other essential supplies. The Taliban also realizes that maintaining distance from India is not practical, and India is keen to maintain relations with the Taliban to protect its interests.
