19 October 2023

MAINS DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS

Q1. Discuss the important approaches to continue participating in Afghanistan’s political system and preserving the country’s historical and traditional interests.

GS IV – International Issues

Introduction:

• The Taliban forces have taken control of the city of Kabul. The Indian diplomatic mission chose to leave the city in this case and helped other Indian employees who were employed there to do the same. Despite multiple Indian interests in Afghanistan and justifications for establishing significant participation, this decision was made.

The customary significance of Afghanistan:

• Geographic connectivity: For a long time, one of the world’s most vital commerce routes and key military locations was the Khyber Pass, which connects Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• China, for instance, aspires to rule Afghanistan as part of the Belt and Road Initiative.
• Both Russia and India are eager to link it to the North-South Economic Corridor.
• Economic interconnectedness: Afghanistan is traversed by the Silk Road. It is a 4000-mile network of historic trade routes that links the East and the West. It is anticipated to serve as the economic hub connecting Europe, Africa, and Asia in the future.
• Cultural connectivity: It is said to as the meeting point of the civilizations of China, India, and Persia. Even Afghans have strong cultural ties to Iran, Uzbekistan, Balochistan, Pakistan’s North West Frontier, and India’s Kashmir.

Historical Interests of India:

• The Taliban has a hostile record. They have attacked Indian consulates and hijacked vehicles in Kandahar.
• Unrest in Kashmir: Similar to previous times, unrest in Afghanistan has a direct impact on our interests in Kashmir.
• Human rights crisis: A number of Afghan stakeholders, including women and rights organisations, are gravely concerned that the harsh application of Sharia law may recur as it did in the past.
• Migration Crisis: Just as in the past, every new phase of unrest in Afghanistan gives rise to a fresh wave of migration problems. For the migrants impacted by this crisis to be granted citizenship, India had to enact the Citizenship Amendment Act.
• Export of terror to the world: Terrorism is once more flourishing in Afghanistan. One new threat that has emerged is ISIS.
• Drug trafficking: Afghanistan, which is a part of the Golden Crescent, is a source of drugs that enter India illegally.
• Loss of a vital ally against Pakistan: The Indian and Afghan governments were friendly and had done favours for each other, such as building the Parliament building and the Salma Dam, which would be lost.
• Loss of Intelligence: The region’s intelligence situation is expected to worsen, with Afghanistan serving as a crucial ally in this regard.
• This time, the Taliban has more power than before. It appears that it would hold onto power for a long while. India would therefore be forced to cooperate with the Taliban in order to realistically safeguard its own interests in the area. Taliban anticipated that India would be their last hope for both recognition and progress. India may make a strong offer to the next government by using these levers.

How to protect Indian interests from this point on:

• Maintaining close ties with supportive parts of the Taliban and past leadership are the new rules of cooperation. India needs to make sure that former leaders India can interact with, like as Ashraf Ghani, Hamid Karzai, and others, are still part of the establishment.
• Increased Cooperation with Central Asia: Given that the Chinese have been oppressing the genetically similar Uighurs, India is seen as a good alternative to the Chinese influence in the region through organisations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
• Keeping a close eye on Taliban involvement with terrorist organisations unique to India: The growing influence of the Taliban and its Pakistani supporters poses a significant security risk since organisations like the LeT and the JeM may exploit Afghanistan as a base of operations for terror attacks in India.
• Taking advantage of India’s goodwill with the public: Over the past 20 years, India has developed significant interests, such as significant infrastructure projects and ongoing development initiatives, assisted in the drafting of the Afghan Constitution and election management, and made it possible for the upcoming generation of officials, soldiers, and professionals to receive training and education.
• Resuming the diplomatic mission: It would be regrettable if the government chose to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan permanently. Much of the world continues to interact with the Taliban. Russia, China, and Iran chose not to close their embassies in Kabul, and neither have the United States or any of the European nations that moved their diplomatic missions to the airport there.
• Wait, then take action: It’s still unclear if negotiations are underway to establish a more inclusive coalition that includes some former Afghan leaders, or if this will simply be a rerun of the terrible dictatorship that was in place from 1996 to 2001.
• Figuring out how to finish the projects: The Taliban has expressed a desire to communicate with India. Fulfilling the projects can be a smart way to preserve goodwill and India’s holdings in the future government, provided that the Taliban guarantees security.
• Pressuring the Taliban to uphold human rights in return for development aid or recognition: These people include women, minorities, including the targeted Islamic sects like the Hazaras, minorities, and associates in India who are involved in Indian initiatives.
• In conclusion, the fall of Kabul will go down in history as a turning point that will determine the future course of the region’s geopolitics. Although much will depend on how the Taliban behaves in the coming months on the geopolitical chessboard that connects western and southern Asia, they are likely to remain a “useful villain” in the epic power struggle that is developing. The collapse of Kabul is a wake-up call for New Delhi, which means it has to realistically reevaluate its regional alternatives and strategies.

Q2. Discuss about how scientific temper has shaped society’s evolution.

GS IV – Indian Society

Introduction:

• A state of Science Index 2021 was just issued, and it revealed that 90% of persons asked believe that science is offering hope for a better world to live in and bringing hope for the future. This is a slightly higher percentage than the global average of 89%. A progressive civilization is thought to require the Modernization process, which entails accepting scientific temper and rationalism.

In our society, scientific temperament is significant because:

• Advancing the country’s political, economic, and social development in all domains. It can aid in the growth of both agriculture and industry, so alleviating the problem of poverty.
• Improved health and educational results: Innovation in social sectors is brought about through the application of science and technology. For instance, using smart classrooms in the classroom. In a similar vein, the development of new drugs and vaccinations, as well as the use of digital technologies to provide health to everybody.
• Technology is promoted by the methodical application of information and cutting-edge concepts that upend preexisting ones.
• Creation of wealth and power: A country’s first mover advantage stems from a new technological innovation that sets the stage for a power struggle. For instance, a revolution in AI or 5G.
• Democracy is strengthened because it shares the same mindset in the political domain as science, which is to ask questions and gather evidence.
• Rather from being conservative, progressive policy pushes society out of its rut and makes room for constructive transformations.
• Encourages the right perspective: a mindset that tests ideas and eliminates self-doubt results in logical acceptance or rejection of concepts, clearing up complexity in one’s own life.
• Disposing of superstitions: Establishing a developed society devoid of illogical customs and superstitions. For instance, it can support the fight against vaccine reluctance.
• Encouraging acceptance of others’ differences in beliefs and viewpoints. Ideas become more secular as a result.
• Enhancement of Social Justice: The social rejection of women is made possible by the questioning of antiquated beliefs about them, such as untouchability and witchcraft.
• In conclusion, the conservative wing of the political and religious communities consistently poses obstacles to the modernising process. The paradox of cultural preservation also exists. It is important to realise, though, that culture is a fluid phenomena that may be subtly altered to incorporate the constitutional concept of social justice without losing any of its fundamental characteristics.