Afghan soil must not be used against us, Indian envoy to Qatar tells Taliban

 

New Delhi: 

For the first time initiating a 'formal' interaction with Taliban, India's envoy to Qatar, Deepak Mittal, on Tuesday, Aug 31, met Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the Head of Taliban’s Political Office in Doha. 

Ambassador Mittal raised India’s concern that Afghanistan’s soil "should not be used" for anti-Indian activities and terrorism in any manner.

"The meeting took place at the Embassy of India, Doha, on the request of the Taliban side," an MEA release said here.

The discussions focused on safety, security and early return of Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan. 

The travel of Afghan nationals, especially minorities, who wish to visit India also came up, it said.

"The Taliban Representative assured the Ambassador that these issues would be positively addressed," the release said.

Observers note that this interaction cannot be dubbed as part of any exercise to establish diplomatic relations between the Taliban and New Delhi as the deliberations were chiefly on an urgent issue vis-a-vis the safety and security of Indians and also minority Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan.

Stanekzai had studied in the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun in the 1970s as the IMA Dehradun trains cadets from a number of African and Asian countries including Afghanistan.

During the Taliban's 1996–2001 rule of Afghanistan, Stanekzai served as deputy minister of foreign affairs under foreign minister Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil.

In 1996, Stanekzai also traveled to Washington as acting foreign minister to ask the then Clinton administration to extend diplomatic recognition to 'Taliban-ruled Afghanistan' .

Stanekzai released a statement recently saying the Taliban wanted to maintain “good relations” with India.

ends 

.

Russia says it's concerns 'not reflected' : Is India 'satisfied' at UNSC resolution on Afghanistan?

New Delhi:

One cannot satisfy everybody every time could be a well established dictum in diplomacy.

Russia says its concerns raised vis-a-vis UNSC Resolution on Afghanistan "were not reflected in the text".

China too has its issues.  

But with this resolution, India played a crucial role. This was adopted with India at the chair and New Delhi was represented by Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla.

"The UNSC Resolution 2593 addresses India’s key concerns pertaining to Afghanistan at this time. Therefore, we played an active role in ensuring its passage," a source said.

A crucial aspect of this resolution is that it survived the veto votes of two permanent members, Russia and China.

Hence, in a sense adoption of the resolution itself is a no mean thing or so to say. It is also significant that the Resolution has declared that the Security Council decides to remain "seized" of the matters pertaining to Afghanistan.

This was a futuristic remark but it generates some hopes that in future the UNSC could act more tough and perhaps be more articulate and clear.

"We believe that this decision to say UN body will be 'seized' of the matter has an important bearing on the course of developments in Afghanistan," a source said adding it is a "matter of satisfaction" that the Indian Presidency could contribute to serious "international consideration" of this key issue.

Two other areas - India can draw some elements of satisfaction were in reference to the UNSC Resolution 1267, of course with regard to Pakistan-based terror organisations Lashker-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

The resolution "demanded" that Afghan territory not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts. 

India has been in continuous touch over the last few days with key members of the UNSC. The Afghan issue was the subject of External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar's phone conversation with US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken and high-level official contacts with other members.

Importantly, yet again from India's perspective, the resolution also addresses India’s immediate concerns about facilitating travel from Afghanistan, including Kabul Airport.  

"This will cover Indian nationals stranded in the country as well as Afghan nationals including minorities Sikhs and Hindus who wish to travel to India," a source in the know of things explained.

Russia, China and their issues:

Both Russia and China abstained.

"During the talks, we stressed the inadmissibility of negative impacts of the evacuation of highly-qualified Afghan personnel on Afghanistan's socio-economic development," said Russian Permanent Representative at UN, Vassily Nebenzia.

But these elements "which are important for the Afghan people were not reflected in the text", he lamented.

The Russian diplomat also said, "....we see attempts to shift responsibility for the failure of the United States’ and its allies’ 20-year presence in Afghanistan onto the Taliban movement and countries of the region, which will have to face consequences of this long campaign".

He stressed that Russia will continue to support Afghanistan. "On its part, Russia wants to see peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan, with no terrorist and drug threats coming from its territory. We will continue to help Afghans attain this goal," he said, according to Tass. 

US Permanent Representative to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield told journalists - "We were disappointed by abstentions of Russia and China".

China blamed the disorderly withdrawal of troops for the chaos in Afghanistan.

"Recent chaos in Afghanistan is directly related to the disorderly withdrawal of foreign troops. We hope that relevant countries would realize that withdrawal is not the end of responsibility but the beginning of reflection and correction," said Chinese representative.

On August 30 at foreign ministry briefing in Beijing, spokesman Wang Wenbin said: "I have also noticed that the Afghan Taliban have reportedly refused the proposal of setting up a "safe zone". China believes that the international community should respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and the will of the Afghan people. Any action to be taken by the Security Council and the international community should be conducive to ease the conflict and facilitate a smooth transition in the country".

ends 

Jaishankar, Doval part of special panel on Afghanistan formed by PM 

New Delhi: 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking developments related to Afghanistan closely.

In view of the evolving situation, he has also set up a high-level group comprising  External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval and several senior officials.

This panel is to 'focus' on the immediate priorities of India, a source said.

 

"This group has been meeting regularly over the last few days. It is seized of issues pertaining to the safe return of stranded Indians, the travel of Afghan nationals (especially minorities) to India," the source said.

India and the rest of the world have been assured that the territory of Afghanistan is "not used in any manner" for terrorism directed against India.

 

"​The group has also been monitoring the ground situation in Afghanistan and international reactions, including the Resolution passed this morning by the UN Security Council".

India played a crucial role in adoption of this resolution. 

This was adopted with India at the chair and New Delhi was represented at the meeting by Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla.

"The UNSC Resolution 2593 addresses India’s key concerns pertaining to Afghanistan at this time. Therefore, we played an active role in ensuring its passage," a source said.

A crucial aspect of this resolution is that it could avoid the veto votes of two permanent members, Russia and China.

It is also significant that the Resolution has declared that the Security Council decides to remain "seized" of the matters pertaining to Afghanistan.

This was a futuristic remark but it generates some hopes that in future the UNSC could act more tough and perhaps be more articulate and clear.

"We believe that this decision to say UN body will be 'seized' of the matter has an important bearing on the course of developments in Afghanistan," a source said.

It is a "matter of satisfaction" that the Indian Presidency could contribute to serious "international consideration" of this key issue.

Two other areas - India can draw some elements of satisfaction were in reference to the UNSC Resolution 1267, of course with regard to Pakistan-based terror organisations Lashker-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

The resolution "demanded" that Afghan territory not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts.

The draft from the 15-member strong council, co-written by the US, UK and France, simply “expects that the Taliban will adhere" to its various commitments.

ends 

UNSC 'watered down' resolution on Afghanistan::: 'Korea, Japan, UK are wondering if US commitment to them could also evaporate'

Richard Gowan, UN expert at the International Crisis Group, says French President Emmanuel Macron was guilty of overselling the idea of a safe zone at Kabul airport this weekend, or at least not communicating very clearly.

New Delhi: Does it show the helplessness of the western powers?

No safe zone and no strict and crystal clear warning to the Talibans as well. 

Getty Image: A 'fate sealed' after 20 years !

The draft from the 15-member strong council, co-written by the US, UK and France, simply “expects that the Taliban will adhere" to its various commitments.

Of the 15 members at UNSC, two Permanent members China and Russia abstained.
The UN Security Council resolution has taken note of the 'dangerous security situation' around Hamid Karzai International Airport at Kabul and also expressed 'concern' that intelligence indicates further terrorist attacks may take place. 

But the global body has failed to spell out consequences for the Taliban if it ignores international norms and commitment. 

Of course, one way of looking at the resolution is that the Security Council passed a resolution that calls for the Taliban to facilitate safe passage for people wanting to leave Afghanistan, allow humanitarians to access the country, and uphold human rights, including for women and children.

Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla chaired the UNSC meeting under the Indian presidency in which the resolution was adopted.

"Today's resolution also highlights the importance of women's rights, minorities' rights... particularly Sikhs and Hindu minorities in Afghanistan. It has indicated a need for safe passage of people and to take necessary steps in its engagement with Afghanistan," Shringla said. 

What is largely seen as a mild and watered down statement, the Resolution No. 5 states- "UNSC notes the Taliban statement of August 27, 2021, in which the Talibancommitted that Afghans will be able to travel abroad, may leave Afghanistan anytime they want to, and may exit Afghanistan via any border crossing, both air and ground, including at the reopened and secured Kabul airport, with no one preventing them from traveling". 

The UN body thus expects that the Taliban will adhere to these and all other commitments, "including regarding the safe, secure, and orderly departure from Afghanistan of Afghans and all foreign nationals".

The outcome or the Resolutions are also seen as a 'setback' for France, which had made calls for a UN safe zone. 

The UK felt that the proposal could not be enforced without UN or other troops.

Notably, 13 of the 15 countries voted in favour of the resolution, which demands that Afghanistan not be used as a shelter for terrorism.

It "demanded" that Afghan territory not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts.

Two prominent players in the Af-Pak region and permanent members at UNSC, China and Russia, abstained.

Speaking after the resolution was passed the UK ambassador to the UN, Dame Barbara Woodward, said: “The immediate priority was to ensure all those who wish to leave Afghanistan can do so safely. We have today been clear that the Taliban must adhere to their own stated commitments to ensuring safe passage.”

The Resolution of course condemned in the strongest terms the deadly blasts at Kabul airport. The terrorist group Islamic State in Khorosan Province (ISKP) has claimed responsibility.

Needless to add that thousands of Afghans have been trying to escape from the country ahead of the  withdrawal of the United States by its self-imposed August 31 deadline.

The resolution expressed concern that intelligence indicates further terrorist attacks may take place in the airport area, calls on the relevant parties to work with international partners to take steps to strengthen security and to prevent further casualties.

It "requests" that every effort be made to allow for the rapid and secure reopening of the Kabul airport and its surrounding area.

The resolution says Kabul blasts resulted in deaths and injuries of over 300 civilians and 28 military personnel and "takes note of the Taliban’s condemnation of this attack".

It "demanded" that Afghan territory not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts, and reiterates the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan, including those individuals and entities designated pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999), and notes the Taliban’s relevant commitments.

This could imply Pakistan-based outfits and individuals designated as terrorists.

The resolution also called for strengthened efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, calls on all parties to allow full, safe, and unhindered access for the United Nations, its specialized agencies and implementing partners, and all humanitarian actors engaged in humanitarian relief activity.

It says all parties must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law in all circumstances, including those related to the protection of civilians and also reaffirms the importance of upholding human rights including those of women, children and minorities, encourages all parties to seek an inclusive, negotiated political settlement.

It calls for full, equal and meaningful participation of women, that responds to the desire of Afghans to sustain and build on Afghanistan’s gains over the last twenty years in adherence to the rule of law.

Meanwhile, Russia has been pressing the US to release Afghanistan’s assets held by the Federal Reserve, warning the Afghan economy is running out of cash at the banks.

ends 

United Nations S/RES/2593 (2021)

Security Council Distr.: General

30 August 2021

Resolution 2593 (2021) Adopted by the Security Council at its 8848th meeting, on 30 August 2021

Recalling its previous resolutions on Afghanistan and the relevant statements of

its President,

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial

integrity, and national unity of Afghanistan,

1. Condemns in the strongest terms the deplorable attacks of August 26,

2021, near Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, which were

claimed by the Islamic State in Khorasan Province, an entity affiliated with the

Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), and resulted in deaths and injuries of

over 300 civilians and 28 military personnel, and takes note of the Taliban’s

condemnation of this attack;

2. Demands that Afghan territory not be used to threaten or attack any

country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts, and

reiterates the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan, including those

individuals and entities designated pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999), and notes the

Taliban’s relevant commitments;

3. Calls for strengthened efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to

Afghanistan, calls on all parties to allow full, safe, and unhindered access for the

United Nations, its specialized agencies and implementing partners, and all

humanitarian actors engaged in humanitarian relief activity, including with respect to

internally displaced persons, to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches all those

in need, calls on all donors and international humanitarian actors to provide

humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and major Afghan refugee-hosting countries,

and underlines that all parties must respect their obligations under international

humanitarian law in all circumstances, including those related to the protection of

civilians;

4. Reaffirms the importance of upholding human rights including those of

women, children and minorities, encourages all parties to seek an inclusive,

negotiated political settlement, with the full, equal and meaningful participation of

women, that responds to the desire of Afghans to sustain and build on Afghanistan’s

gains over the last twenty years in adherence to the rule of law, and underlines that

all parties must respect their obligations;

5. Notes the Taliban statement of August 27, 2021, in which the Taliban

committed that Afghans will be able to travel abroad, may leave Afghanistan anytime

they want to, and may exit Afghanistan via any border crossing, both air and ground,

including at the reopened and secured Kabul airport, with no one preventing them

from traveling, expects that the Taliban will adhere to these and all other

commitments, including regarding the safe, secure, and orderly departure from

Afghanistan of Afghans and all foreign nationals;

6. Takes note of the dangerous security situation around Hamid Karzai

International Airport and expresses concern that intelligence indicates further terrorist

attacks may take place in the area, calls on the relevant parties to work with

international partners to take steps to strengthen security and to prevent further

casualties, and requests that every effort be made to allow for the rapid and secure

reopening of the Kabul airport and its surrounding area;

7. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

Other media reports:

"Taiwan, which is almost daily subject to threats of invasion from China, is particularly worried. South Korea, Japan, Western Europe, and Britain are all wondering if the American commitment to them could evaporate as fast as the commitment to Afghanistan has." - John Simpson, BBC

 A divided U.N. Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution calling on the Taliban to allow safe passage for those seeking to leave Afghanistan but did not mention the creation of a safe zone in Kabul, as suggested by the French president on Sunday - Reuters

Simpson : Old BBC hand in Afghanistan

The Guardian report 

 Western powers have been forced to accept the reality of the Taliban’s control of Afghanistan as they swung behind a watered down UN resolution that says it “expects” the Taliban to honour a commitment to allow Afghans to leave the country and “requests” that Kabul airport be securely reopened, but falls short of demanding a UN-sponsored safe zone in the Afghan capital.

A UN security council resolution suggests no specific reprisal if Afghanistan is sealed off after the 31 August deadline for the final US withdrawal that ends its near 20-year battle to crush the Taliban.

The draft from the 15-strong council, co-written by the US, UK and France, simply notes a “statement of 27 August, 2021, in which the Taliban committed that Afghans will be able to travel abroad,” and “expects that the Taliban will adhere to these and all other commitments”.

The text also “calls on the relevant parties to work with international partners to take steps to strengthen security and to prevent further casualties, and requests that every effort be made to allow for the rapid and secure reopening of Kabul airport and its surrounding area”.

The text in effect leaves the security of the airport to the Taliban. The political imperative to keep the security council united means no specific consequence is spelt out if the Taliban does not heed the calls in the resolution. The outcome is a setback for France, which at the weekend led calls for a UN safe zone. The UK largely regarded the proposal as unenforceable without UN or other troops.

Nevertheless, none of the major powers is in a rush to recognise the Taliban, even if Russia is pressing the US to release Afghanistan’s assets held by the Federal Reserve, warning the Afghan economy is running out of cash at the banks.

The UN World Health Organization managed to fly one relief plane containing medical supplies for 200,000 people into Mazar-i-Sharif in the north of the country, but it is warning there is a humanitarian crisis imminent due to drought, the hold up in vaccinations and spread of as many as 550,000 refugees to Afghanistan’s borders.

A Unicef official in Kabul Hervé de Lys also admitted after talks with the Taliban education commissioner that he had received no guarantees that women would be allowed to attend school beyond primary school age. He said: “All issues on table for discussion. We will continue to advocate and not give up.” Afghan’s children are not due to return to school yet partly due to Covid restrictions.

Speaking after the resolution was passed the UK ambassador to the UN, Dame Barbara Woodward, said: “The immediate priority was to ensure all those who wish to leave Afghanistan can do so safely. We have today been clear that the Taliban must adhere to their own stated commitments to ensuring safe passage.”

At an earlier virtual meeting of G7 leaders hosted from Qatar, foreign ministers from the G7, Turkey, Qatar and Nato discussed security inside the country, and the right of Afghans with travel permissions from overseas countries to leave the country.

There is a broad international consensus around three main demands made of the Taliban: the extension of human rights to women, the right to travel abroad and a commitment that Afghanistan will not be allowed to become a safe haven for terrorists.

There is less international agreement on how much, and what form of, pressure to place on the Taliban to meet these commitments. Rory Stewart, the former Conservative cabinet minister, said: “The most important thing for the west to do is not to make the situation worse. Afghanistan is now on the edge of a real humanitarian catastrophe.

“The Afghan government, which is now obviously the Taliban government, is running out of money. It’s going to be very difficult to keep the water supply and electricity going.

“Much of the healthcare and education in the country is delivered by foreign NGOs and agencies. At the moment there is no clarity at all from Britain, the US and others on how they are going to continue supporting these development and humanitarian projects on the ground.”

Did he trigger the crisis ?

New Tripura Ministers get portfolios: Ram Prasad Paul gets Home but not Police; OBC Welfare, Minorities Welfare

 

New Tripura Ministers get portfolios: Ram Prasad Paul has been given the portfolio of Home (Jail, Fire Service and Emergency), OBC Welfare, Minorities Welfare and Cooperation). But not police.

Sushanta Chowdhury, given apart from ICA also PWD (DWS) and Youth Affairs and Sports.

Bhagaban Das entrusted with the portfolios of Animal Resources Development, Labour and SC Welfare departments.

The BJP-IPFT coalition government in Tripura is a victim of systemic Leftists' campaign but such measures will not succeed, new Tripura Minister Bhagaban Das had said earlier this year.

Bhagaban Das

Right Corrective steps can still save the day for the BJP in Tripura

Cabinet expansion done !!

Three MLAs- all of them first time legislators -Ramprasad Paul, Bhagaban Das and Sushanta Chowdhury were sworn in as Ministers on Tuesday, Aug 31. 

Governor Satyadev Narayan Arya administered them the oath of office and secrecy.

Bhagaban Das is MLA from Unakoti district around commercially active Kumarghat region and Ram Prasad Paul is a long term BJP and a RSS man from West Tripura. 

Susanta Choudhury, MLA from Majlishpur, is also from West Tripura. 

Two eminent disgruntled BJP legislators Sudip Roy Barman, Asish Saha (or Das) were not spotted at Raj Bhavan. 

(In an interview with the blogger for RSS-run 'Organiser', earlier this year - Bhagaban Das had flayed the communists and said the "Leftists disinformation campaign against BJP in Tripura will not succeed" .

Kumarghat (Tripura): The gross disinformation campaign against the BJP-led coalition government in Tripura by the Leftists and Left liberals will not succeed, said BJP legislator Bhagaban Das. 

(this interview was carried in website - Feb 5, 2021)

He also maintained that the saffron party would need to reach out to all sections of people in a more concrete and systematic manner to break the 'destructive' pro-Communists mindset prevalent in the state due to long 25 years of Leftists' control of the state till 2018.

"The BJP-IPFT coalition government in Tripura is a victim of systemic Leftists' campaign but such measures will not succeed as the pro-people welfare works will speak for themselves and finally convince the common masses," Bhagaban Das told this reporter in a brief interview.

The legislator maintained that- "A vested interest is in full time work in the state to discredit Biplab Deb ministry. They are banking on social media like Whatsapp and there is a pattern as these individuals and groups would always prevent good works getting publicity".

"A new pattern is that in any informal gathering and tea stalls etc, people will start talking ill of the government. A few others with the same Leftist mindset would join the discussion as part of pre planning. This conspiracy is sinister in design," he said.

There is no discussion in the state that the Modi government in the centre and the Tripura government in coordination provided 5 kilo rice to poor families during lockdown last summer for several months, Bhagaban Das said. 

Mr Das, known for being close to the Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, asserted that while complex issues like 'dismissed teachers agitation' is discussed repeatedly they will never talk about welfare measures like housing, major road projects and cleanliness drive.

"The Left liberals have completely forgotten that 10, 323 teachers lost their job following a court order and that was due to faulty and politically motivated recruitment policy of the then Left Front government of Manik Sarkar," he said adding "like you often see selected debates on national issues directed mostly against the Modi government, there is a growing pattern just to defame Biplab Deb Ministry by hook or crook".

Dismissed teachers stir was started in December and state BJP leaders have described it as a full fledged work of the Communist leaders.

The agitating teachers and police clashed on Jan 27 and cops have said like Delhi police they also applied restraints otherwise things could have turned worse.

Several police and 'dismissed teachers' were injured after the protesting group violated restrictions imposed under 144 CrPC. Another teacher Kalyan Das also died recently.

Local BJP leaders like state saffron party spokesman Subrata Chakrabarty have said the agitation was part of a misguided move and being instigated by the Leftists. 

It is claimed by certain quarters that several former teachers have committed suicides following depression. But BJP leaders say there is often concoction of facts.

A few suicides due to marital disputes and extra marital affairs have been linked to dismissal of teachers who lost jobs due to faulty recruitment policy and alleged "malpractice" followed by the Marxist leaders.

State legislator Das pointed out that BJP-led government had given Rs 35000 each to over 8000 teachers for some time who lost job in March 2020. This generosity is never mentioned.

Moreover, alternative jobs were assured provided they appear for mandatory tests.

But the dismissed teachers mostly did not want to appear for any test.

Das says here lies the real catch as - "Most beneficiaries were either Left supporters or from family members of Leftist leaders. There was major lacuna in recruitment process and many of these reluctant former teachers know they will be exposed in any kind of examination".

According to reports, at least 1357 teachers have already got alternate jobs but no government worth its salt can actually help hundreds of those who "probably do not show confidence in appearing for exams again".

Ends

The Marxists have almost left the opposition space. Congress hardly existed and those remaining are now shifting towards Trinamool Congress.

Some of Trinamool's 'advantages and assets' in West Bengal are simply missing here. They do not have Muslim support base - which formed the foundation to take on BJP in West Bengal. 

In Tripura, Trinamool will struggle to find 'a face' which is a quarter-like popular and voter-garner as Mamata herself is in her state. 

In fact, the slogan ‘Bangla Nijer meye ke chay’ which was supposedly a game-changer in Bengal could also boomerang with tribal voters. There are as many as 20 ST seats in the 60-member assembly.

Moreover, Tripura politics has been always bipolar. Either you stood with the CPI-M or with the Congress. 

So if Left gets even its traditional 'hardcore' vote, the going will be tough for Trinamool notwithstanding the social media hype!

In 2018, the Congress was pushed to the margins and hence it was a clear battle again between the communists and the BJP. 

Along with Nagaland and Tripura, another northeastern state of Meghalaya too would go to the polls by February-March 2023. In Meghalaya too, the BJP is in the ruling coalition headed by NPP leader Conrad Sangma.

New Delhi:

Living up to its reputation of starting poll preparedness in states well in advance, the 
BJP has already set the ball rolling for 2023 elections in saffron party-ruled Tripura and Nagaland,where the party is junior partner to Neiphiu Rio-led regional outfit,NNDP.

Four senior leaders Dilip Saikia, Ajay Jamwal, Vinod Sonkar, and Phanindra Sharma would be landing in Tripura capital Agartala on Monday and will hold a series of meetings with ministers, state office bearers and MLAs in groups and separately for days.

The series of meetings including with state office bearers and leaders in district and Mandal levels will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday and beyond.

Tripura was once a Left bastion

The team is also set to visit Khowai district, an erstwhile Leftist bastion and interact with leaders at the ground level.

They are also scheduled for a meeting with elected representatives of Panchayat, zilla parishad and the autonomous district council in tribal areas.

The chalking out of detailed meetings programmes and visit to rural areas is significant as there are talks about a possible cabinet reshuffle.

In between there have been demands for replacing Chief Minister Biplab Deb too.
"The party's central leadership is seized of all relevant issues and matters," a source said declining to elaborate further.

Opposition Left, Congress and lately Trinamool Congress have from time to time have been critical of the performance of Chief Minister Deb, who is generally given out as a reluctant politician.

In Nagaland, BJP's challenges are a bit more complex and unique.

The peace talks with militant group NSCN (IM) have been stalled over the issue of Flag and a separate Constitution even as an umbrella body of seven Naga militant groups NNPG is ready to ink a peace pact with the centre.

NNPG convener N Kitovi Zhimomi recently visited New Delhi.

The political situation in Nagaland between BJP and two regional parties NNDP and NPF hes turned fluid after two regional parties have decided to come together and 'cooperate' giving a broad message of unity and giving a push to the peace process.

A section of BJP leaders do not approve of the idea and especially sounded displeasure at the NPF leaders for making anti-Hindu remarks during 2018 election campaign.

The BJP has 12 MLAs in the 60-member assembly and shares power with NNDP and its nominee Y Patton being the Deputy Chief Minister.

The BJP and its allies are in power in all seven northeastern states - a region which was once the Congress forte.

BJP campaign in 2018

BJP MLA Sudip Roy Barman organized a meeting of disgruntled party leaders and workers at Tulshibati Girls’ School auditorium on Sunday and announced that from now he would carry forward the grievances and suggestions of the leaders and grassroots workers to the state government and party higher ups. He also ruled out any speculation about his joining the Trinamool Congress.

 “The government and the party is not listening to the workers”, he says

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh have also visited the state lately.

ends 

 

Can Red survive the double onslaught?

CPI-M desperate to reconsolidate its strength in Tripura

Gauging the mood, Tripura's principal opposition CPI-M also has geared up of late to regain its position.

For 25 years the Leftists were in power at a stress till they were ousted by BJP in 2018.

CPI-M organised a rally in Belonia on August 28 also two Local Committee Conferences in Unakoti District on August29, Sunday. 

Left party is also getting active in Kumarghat town and a rally was organised at Fatikroy Assembly Constituency area.

Balochistan as a 'negative catalyst' to Talibanisation and rise of radical Islam

New Delhi: 

It’s a challenging time around. 

The fall of Afghanistan signifies rise of Jehadi movement and this would give a bolster to further rise of radical Islam especially in the region. India faces an uphill task in dealing with the challenge in the context of ‘an unhealthy’ atmosphere 
prevailing around the roles of Pakistan and China.

When Afghan soldiers did their job !

There is also an apprehension that under the given circumstances, the Pakistan-Taliban-China nexus would emerge stronger and possibly also encircle India in the north and western fronts.

Thus, according to observers perhaps Balochistan and its changing dynamics can work as a dampening force to Pakistan’s sinister designs and the radical Islamist forces. 

If troubles in Balochistan rise beyond proportionate, the Pakistani army would be sucked into a war in a tough terrain and hostile environment.

There are various pros and cons involved in the entire game. The Baloch resistance against Pakistan is legendary and it has been going on since the 1940s.

From India's point of view, it can be easily stated that a prolonged insurgency in Balochistan would severely impede Pakistani army's capability to sponsor terrorism against India.

Balochs were never interested in getting themselves ‘integrated’ into Pakistan.

The major issue for people there is of Baloch ethnic identity and thus as people they have been looking forward for external support possibly including from India.

In 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech had used the ‘Baloshistan time bomb’. 

The sickular jingoists had reacted in their usual pattern. Salman Khurshid, a former External Affairs Minister, had said – “Balochistan is different from PoK. We have every right to talk about PoK because it is our matter. Balcohistan is not”.

But by reference to the Baloch issue, PM Modi had taken the Balochistan battle to the Pakistan camp.

He had almost turned the table.

However, for reasons best known to Modi and his foreign policy team, nothing much happened or could be heard on the Balochistan matters since then. Now, the Taliban take over has opened a window, and it ought to be made use of.

Pakistan has weakness in Balochistan – perhaps little more than it had about the erstwhile East Pakistan. Over the decades, Pakistan’s approach towards Baloch region was military, tyranny and torture.

In order to ‘defeat’ the Baloch ethnic identity, Pakistan has promoted Islamic radicalism in the region.

“Islamabad has always encouraged Mullahs to propagate fundamentalist version of religion so that Baloch unique identity gets subsumed in the overall identity of Islam and Pakistani nationhood,” an informed source says.

People in Balochistan even refer to themselves as ‘original Indians’, and some feel getting Balochistan ‘free’ from Pakistan would be like ‘cutting off the head of the cobra’.

The government of India should also act to prevent efforts being made by Pakistan to accentuate differences between Balochs and Brahuis, essentially only making language an issue of division.

To the good fortunes of Pakistan, the Balochistan movement has remained “South Asia’s most under- reported armed movement”, but maybe this is the time to change the entire scenario.

Thus, it is time for India perhaps to highlight all sorts of discrimination that is going on in Balochistan.

The Baloch people feel there is 'deep-rooted' alienation as the locals have been denied representation in the government.

There are hardly any Baloch found in federal jobs in Islamabad and in the Pakistan army.  

This in a situation when the province the Balochis inhabit – Balochistan – is the country’s largest, occupying nearly 44 per cent of Pakistan’s land area.

There is then the case of economic exploitation as natural assets are taken away by Islamabad and the army without giving the natives anything in return.

Notably, there is a need for a cautious look too. 

If 'insurgency' in Balochistan against Islamabad really gets intensified, it is apprehended that it could have ramifications in 'Iranian Balochistan' too. 

Balochs are split between Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan.

Most of the Baloch people are Sunnis while Iran follows the Shia school of Islam.
On the Pakistani side, there is another international angle.

The Chinese are seen as 'assisting' Islamabad in Balochistan because of its own strategic interests. 

Moreover, a continued disturbance in western part of Balochistan could affect developments related to Chabahar port and also construction of the Zaranj-Delaram road link that is aimed to provide shorter access to Afghanistan and other central Asian countries.

ends 

 

Action Time

Afghanistan lost: Questions haunt Af-Pak region, global players ::::::: ...Three years between Modi and Imran; who won ?

Strategic questions haunt wider Af-Pak region, global players

New Delhi: 

If India’s role in development diplomacy is also taken into account, the ‘Afghan story’ so far has been that of anecdotes of a loose alliance between dispensation(s) in Kabul and communist Russia, Islamic religious and moneyed-Saudi lobby, occasional games by Iran and the powerful US.

‘Foreign interference’ is an oft-heard phrase in diplomacy. Generally, the country which faces ‘foreign interference’ has grievances and serious complaints; but in the case of Afghanistan – the table seems to have turned.

The reasons being – Afghanistan itself has been the scene of ‘foreign power’ actions for over a century now. 

There are bigger issues at stake in the region. Will the region become a next ground for conflicts between Taliban and IS?

IS considers Shias as infidels and this never went down well with Iran.

The Taliban-Al Qaeda link is of course one area of concern.

Iran is a well known Shia powerhouse and Taliban – a monopoly of Sunnis, so how would things progress here ?

In the 1990s, Taliban faced problems from Iran when the latter helped US forces to ‘topple’ Taliban in 2001. Will the ongoing tension between the US and countries such as Iran, Russia and China worsen further?

Iran has over the years mobilized Shia communities throughout the Middle East for the protection of the Assad regime. In the past too, the Iranian security agencies have recruited a large number of Afghan and Pakistani Shias to fight in Syria.

All eyes may be now on Beijing, Moscow and Tehran and whether they form any kind of a lasting axis to take on Washington.

The Quad formed by the US, India, Japan and Australia has already been a ‘pain’ in the neck for Russia and China.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his chief foreign policy aides, Dr S Jaishankar and Ajit Doval, are aware of the way things could turn.

Thus they have taken right initiatives by way of interactions at the highest level between PM Modi and President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

In the 20th century, the British and Russian empires did play so-called intervention roles. Subsequently, the United States chipped in and provided arms and logistic support to eject Russians. This happened in the 1980s and this was also the period when Pakistan was the ‘blue-eyed’ boy of Uncle Sam.

Much later, the terrorism thrived with support from Saudi lobby and then Al-Qaeda made the region the base to strike with their infamous misadventure of all time - the 9/11.

Yet again the country is in turmoil and it has all the potential to influence and disturb the entire region and also the global polity.

In the new circumstance, as the US and its NATO partners make a retreat rather sheepishly, Afghanistan could soon again turn a theatre of international games by a few neo and old players, namely Pakistan, China, Iran and Russia.

But in all these changing games and so on; one thing is permanent. Mistrust remains the biggest player in more ways than one.

Pakistan has put all its eggs in the ‘Taliban basket’ to create a possible fighting-cushion against India. 

But what would happen if the ‘monster’ they have created gets it on its neck.

China, Russia and Iran – all have their respective ‘interests’ and games.

From the sidelines, but importantly, India needs to be careful that the next round of Mujahideen and Islamic radical games do not get a kickoff in Kashmir.

New Delhi has started exploring the possibilities of banning Hurriyat to start with. 

ends 

Three years between Modi and Imran; who won ?

New Delhi:

Imran Khan has completed three years in office. His Indian counterpart Narendra Modi – who has offered himself as a macho nationaist and a Hindu leader – is in office for little over seven years now.

Modi is in power for next three years till May 2024 and Imran - it is expected - will be in office till August 2023 if there is no military intervention.

In between these years, many new things and path-breaking episodes unfolded between two countries and intellectuals have been debating much about the so-called perception war.

Well, leaders are made by people. English media and select websites in particular in India guided by their holier-than and know-all ivory tower expertise can have misnomers, and they have to live with those.

While Modi has retained a vice-like grip in two Lok Sabha elections spaced between five years (2014 and 2019),  he has been BJP’s trump card in most state elections – even the tough ones like West Bengal in 2021 and Karnataka in 2018.

From media reports in Pakistan, it is suggested Imran Khan and his party too have been 'popular' and perhaps also marginalised rivals such as PPP in its bastion Sindh province and PML (Nawaz) elsewhere.

“Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is now touted as an alternative to Prime Minister Imran Khan if the PPP can stitch together a coalition for the next elections,” says a commentary by Fahf Hussain in ‘Dawn’.

Modi’s case has been luckier as the opposition in India are still in search of a good clue to prepare a road map.

 
The talk about an alternative leader is out of question as of now. 

The biggest tussle and battle of nerves between Modi and Imran came in February 2019. India retaliated Pulwama terror attack by bombing some terror hideouts and Pakistan struck back, shooting down an Indian fighter jet and capturing pilot Abhinandan Varthaman.

Imran Khan also later announced his release and a section hailed the move as ‘reverse swing’ by the former cricket legend.

The truth of the matter is Islamabad got a firm warning from New Delhi that they will have to release Abhinandan unconditionally and in sound health and body. 

The story of Indian ‘warning’ was shared by a top source in the Modi government to a select group of journalists.

India's message was very clear - We will not talk. 130 crore Indians want our pilot Abhinandan released.

The Pak PM decision to 'send back' the Indian pilot was understood by overwhelming Indians in its true sense. 

Time has dulled Pakistan's memory in more ways than one. Thus, notwithstanding the claim of enforcing principles of 'Naya Pakistan' - as claimed by Imran Khan - Islamabad has not yet given up the old habits of  trying to thrive in propaganda.
 

New Axis: India-US-Afghan.... Failed ??

One says this because RIC – Russia, India and China after foreign ministers meeting at Wuzhen, (China),  Feb 27 (2019) had issued a strong statement against terror and ‘breeding grounds’. 

Mike Pompeo, the then US Secretary of State, spoke to Pak foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and urged Pakistan to take meaningful action against terrorist groups "operating in its soil”.

These facts are generally missed out in ‘sickular’ and anti-Modi media narratives. UNSC also named Masood Azhar’s JeM in Pulwama teror statement. 

During the tenure of PM Imran, on another occasion Pakistan got it on its nose was at The Hague. 

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on July 17, 2019 by 15-1 verdict held Kulbhushan Jadhav's conviction by Pakistan wrong.

Of course Imran Khan’s tenure would also go down the memory lane in Pakistan that saw abrogation of Article 370 by the Modi government, and it could do nothing much about it.

Episodes like 'Howdy Modi' in Houston and 'Namaste Trump' in Ahmedabad would definitely not add any feather to Imran's cap.

Earlier on Sept 21, 2018, then MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had given Imran Khan a taste of 'an assertive new India'.

"It's obvious that behind Pakistan's proposal for talks (between foreign ministers in US) to make a fresh beginning, the evil agenda of Pakistan stands exposed and the true face of new Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has been revealed to the world in his first few months in the office".

Pakistan invested a lot of money and military-diplomatic time for the Kartarpur Corridor. Its army chief also embraced a state-level Indian politician Navjot Singh Sidhu.

However, the historic Ayodhya verdict was delivered on Nov 9, 2019 - the day the corridor was opened. It certainly deprived Imran and Pakistan the so-called 'international media publicity' as the entire South Asia and rest of the world for about a fortnight spoke only about the Ram Temple verdict.

 

In between there have been other episodes, Sushma Swaraj became the first Indian foreign minister to address the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on March 1, 2019. Pak Minister helplessly stayed away.

 

Sushma at OIC, March 1, 2019

On Feb 23, 2019, PM Modi in an election rally at Tonk in Rajasthan had dared Imran Khan to prove his words on the fight against poverty.

''Aaj Pakistan ke pradhan mantri ke shabdoan ko kasauti pe kasne ki jarurat hai...(Time has come for him to prove his own words) Let me see whether he can prove to be truthful to his own words,'' Modi had said.

Recalling his first telephone talk with Mr Khan after his poll victory in 2018, Modi said ''I had told him you are from the world of sports... Come let India and Pakistan get their act together and fight poverty and illiteracy.''

In response, he had told me that he (Imran) is a son of a Pathan and he will always speak the truth and also do things in the right manner.... Thus time has come for him to prove his own words". 

Well, Imran Khan still needs to walk the talk. In between, of course, India has been telling the world about Islamabad's terror friendly approaches.

On June 24, 2021, Arindam Bagchi, MEA spokesman, said: “...And the world knows what Pakistan has brought to Afghanistan". 

He also said to ensure normal relations with India, Pakistan must work towards creating a conducive atmosphere, including by taking credible, verifiable and irreversible actions to not allow any territory under its control to be used for cross border terrorism against India in any manner.”

ends 

Congress 'first family' faces intra-party squabbles in Chhattisgarh, Punjab

New Delhi: Internal bickering within the Congress remains unabated in two party-ruled states of Punjab and Chhattisgarh.

New Punjab Congress chief, Navjot Singh Sidhu cautioned AICC general secretary in-charge Harish Rawat and the Congress high command that he should not be reduced to being only a rubber stamp president.

“Not allowed to take any decision will not be accepted,” said cricket star-turned-politician Sidhu who has big differences with Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.
He even used uncharitable words and phrases such as ‘Ali Baba’ and ‘Eet naal Eet...'. 

The Congress has played out self-inflicted injuries to itself even in Chhattisgarh.

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and his army of over 50 loyalist MLAs were virtually paraded in Delhi in front of the party’s 'most powerful' MP from Kerala, Rahul Gandhi.

‘Acting or interim’ Congress president Sonia Gandhi is maintaining a low profile and a virtual reverse gear and ilence while daughter Priyanka Gandhi and her husband Robert are handling Punjab politics and Chhattisgarh is being handled by Rahul.

But in both the states, things have been perhaps mishandled.

In the poll-bound Punjab, Sidhu, a turncoat from BJP, is in direct and fierce competition with Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.

“Mine is a politics of hope and faith. If I am able to meet the expectations of people, I will ensure the Congress retains power in Punjab for the next 20 years. But if you do not let me make decisions, I will give a befitting reply (Eet naal Eet)  There is no point in being a dummy president.”

Sidhu said. 

Adding more complexities, AICC general secretary in-charge of Punjab, Harish Rawat, has reportedly sought to be relieved of the charge citing the upcoming Uttarakhand elections.He met Sonia Gandhi on Friday and briefed her on the intra-party issues in Punjab.

Meanwhile, Chhattisharh Chief Minister Baghel and AICC in-charge P L Puniiya met Rahul Gandhi.

Baghel has put up a brave face and said, "I, in the capacity of state Chief Minister, have invited Rahul Gandhi to visit the state. He will visit next week".  Priyanka Gandhi also attended the meeting. 

Interestingly, the Congress leadership is reportedly miffed with the Chief Minister for bringing MLAs including ministers to New Delhi to demonstrate his support.

State Health Minister T S Singh Deo has been mounting pressure on the central leadership to implement the formula of rotational chief ministership which was agreed upon between Baghel and him in December 2018.

ends