UPSC DAW Mains Answer Writing 11th October 2025
Question
Discuss India’s policy towards Afghanistan. Why is peace in Afghanistan important for India? [250Words, 15Marks].
Model Answer
Approach:
Introduction
Contextual introduction
Body
Discuss India’s policy towards Afghanistan. How is peace in Afghanistan important for India?
Conclusion
Give appropriate conclusion in this regard.
Introduction
India and Afghanistan share deep historical and cultural ties. Despite regime changes, India continues humanitarian and developmental engagement. Afghanistan’s strategic location remains crucial for India’s connectivity, energy security, and regional outreach under its Neighbourhood First and Connect Central Asia policies.
Body
India’s policy towards Afghanistan:
Developmental focus: India prioritises rebuilding Afghanistan’s infrastructure, institutions, and human capacity through education, health, and skill programmes.
Peace process: Supports an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, Afghan-controlled reconciliation process.
Key projects: Built Salma Dam, Afghan Parliament, and signed MoU for Shahtoot Dam.
Aid & humanitarian support: Provided wheat, vaccines, and medical aid post-2021; re-established diplomatic presence in Kabul.
Soft power diplomacy: Promotes cultural ties, scholarships, and cricket cooperation.
No military role: Adopts a no boots on ground stance, focusing on diplomacy and development.
Regional connectivity: Strengthens trade via Chabahar Port and air freight corridors.
Guiding principle: Partnership based on mutual trust, solidarity, and shared growth under Neighbourhood First and SAGAR policies.
Significance of Peace in Afghanistan
Natural Resources & Economic Potential: Afghanistan holds USD 1 trillion worth of untapped mineral resources (Pentagon–USGS estimate). Peace ensures resource utilisation and regional economic growth, benefiting India’s investments and trade.
Security & Stability: A stable Afghanistan is vital for regional and domestic security. Instability fuels radicalism and terrorism that could spill over into Pakistan and India.
Connectivity & Access to Central Asia: Afghanistan serves as India’s gateway to Central Asia, enabling continental outreach. This underpins India’s collaboration with Iran’s Chabahar Port for connectivity and trade routes.
Strengthening Regional Foothold: Peace enables India to enhance strategic influence and diversify ties in the region, especially with Iran and Central Asian states, beyond oil-based relations.
Energy Security: Afghanistan is crucial for India’s energy corridor ambitions, particularly the TAPI gas pipeline linking Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. Instability threatens these energy routes.
Trade Expansion: Peaceful Afghanistan allows India to export goods to Central Asia and Europe, boosting trade and foreign exchange. The Chabahar–Zahedan rail link aims to connect India with Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Europe.
Conclusion
The importance of Afghanistan is multi-dimensional. Also, India understands that a peaceful Afghanistan will help in a peaceful India and South Asia in a world which is threatening to break into a war anytime. A stable Afghanistan is in everyone’s interests and the regional security is intrinsically enmeshed with it.