On 15/8/2021 Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani left Kabul and Taliban entered the city and Presidential Palace. Taliban was back in Kabul after nearly 20 years.
The war in Afghanistan had gone on too long for USA. It started after 9/11 in 2001. Taliban lost power. USA engaged in nation-building and democracy in Afghanistan. However, the Constitution adopted was for Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, not secular republic. It was death penalty for a Muslim who converted to another religion. Strange that USA allowed such a Constitution.
American forces with help from NATO forces and of Australia and New Zealand controlled Afghanistan. Americans trained Afghan soldiers and supplied them with arms and ammunition.
Taliban had conquered Kabul in 1996. At that time Pakistan and Saudi Arabia recognised it. Later UAE recognised it. In 2001, Taliban refused to hand over Osama Bin Laden to USA and USA attacked Afghanistan. Taliban was defeated. For some years it was mostly peace. Then, Taliban started to capture territory in Afghanistan.
US troops withdrawal was long overdue and not hasty. In December 2009 Barack Obama talked of withdrawal in 18 months. Then he backtracked. He said 30,000 troops will be sent to Afghanistan and after 18 months, July 2011 onwards USA will begin transfer of its troops out of Afghanistan.
Donald Trump succeeded Barack Obama. He wanted to end war in Afghanistan. USA had an agreement with Taliban. US forces will be out by 1/5/2021.
Joseph Biden succeeded Donald Trump. He announced US forces will leave by 9/11/2021. Later the date was brought forward to 31/8/2021.
Taliban members were not ready to wait till then. They started attacks. In August 2021 Taliban captured cities without much fight. On 14/8/2021 Taliban forces were near Kabul. Many countries started evacuation of their diplomatic personnel. Ashraf Ghani said remobilisation of forces and security was top priority and serious steps were being taken in this regard. He said he won’t let Afghans be killed and property destroyed thus losing the gains made in last 20 years. Next day he left.
India has spent around 23,000 crore rupees in various projects in Afghanistan. It built Afghanistan’s Parliament House. Afghan government was friendly to India. Russia, China and some other countries had direct talks with Taliban. India did not have direct talks with Taliban. It is time for choosing. Either recognition of Taliban or withdrawal of Indian diplomats from Afghanistan.
Fall of Kabul is a lesson for India not to trust USA. It held talks with Taliban and undercut elected government in Afghanistan. It released around 5,000 Taliban prisoners. Right from 2001 when it let fly many Taliban fighters from Kunduz to Pakistan, USA has been dishonest with its allies.
Many reasons are given for Afghan surrender. There was corruption. On paper, Afghan army strength was 3,00,000. In reality it was 50,000. Soldiers did not have enough food and ammunition. There was no air cover, and so on. Weapons and tanks supplied by USA to Afghanistan are now in Taliban hands.
It is for Afghans to fight for their rights and freedom. After 20 years of democracy, it is back to Taliban. Others can not help them. Some Afghans will seek refuge in neighbouring countries.