The recent terror attacks at various places in Afghanistan are enough evidence to back the conclusion that terrorists are growing in strength in the Taliban-ruled country. And, this is bad news not only for the region, but for the entire world. The situation in Afghanistan has certainly heightened security concerns not only in India, but in every single country of the world.
At a meeting with his Central Asian counterparts last week, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval flagged the persistence of terrorist networks in Afghanistan, expressing concern about existence of terror outfits operating from the soil of Kabul. India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj has, on many occasions, drawn world’s attention to deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, with the Taliban rulers having miserably failed to curb the menace of terrorism.
What is happening in Afghanistan is not something that is a cause of concern for India alone, as it must be taken seriously by the entire global community as well. This is what top Indian diplomats and security officials have been trying to impress upon the world. This is exactly what NSA Doval told his Central Asian counterparts at a meet in New Delhi last week. “Afghanistan is an important issue concerning us all.” This is how Doval gave a message that the entire international community must look into the situation which is a worrying sign for regional and global security. What is clear is that terrorist activities have once again increased significantly in Afghanistan which is being used to fund, plan and organise such activities.
India has from time to time highlighted the threat to regional peace posed by terror groups operating from Afghanistan. The recent attacks actually confirmed the worst fears that India’s top envoy Ruchira Kamboj at the UN once highlighted in the recent past. She shared with the international community the information that terror outifts like Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Islamic State are growing in strength in Afghanistan. She had called for stronger action by the Taliban regime to deliver on counter-terrorism commitments. Highlighting these concerns, New Delhi always sought world focus on the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan. Did the world community take it seriously despite the caution being sounded by India? Was there any action on the part of top world major powers in this regard? The answer is negative. There has been no visible action by the world powers to step up pressure on the Taliban to fulfil counter-terrorism commitments.
What is lamentable is that the major global powers still continue to classify terrorists as good and bad. This is the reason why India has conveyed to the 15-member United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that the era of classifying terrorists as “good” or “bad” must end. The concept note that India circulated ahead of two major events chaired by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at UNSC on 14-15 December, was, in fact, aimed at making the global community realise that its efforts in combating terrorism leave a lot to be desired.
“Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations must be condemned. There cannot be an exception or justification for any act of terrorism, regardless of its motivation and wherever, whenever and by whosoever committed. The era of classifying terrorists as ‘bad’, ‘not so bad’ or ‘good’ on the basis of political convenience must end immediately.”
These remarks made in the concept note are enough for the global community to realise its mistake. The world community must understand that the existing and emerging threats call for a renewed collective approach to terrorism. Obviously, the terror attacks across the world in the past highlight that the threat of terrorism is universal. What the world cannot shut eyes to is the fact that terrorism in one part of the world seriously impacts peace and security in other parts of the globe.
So, with this in mind, the international community needs to examine as to why the Islamist regime in Kabul has been unable to crack down on multiple terror groups from Afghan soil. Are they incapable of taking an action, or are they unwilling to do so? The US, the UK, Germany, France, Russia and other powerful countries must hold the Taliban accountable for growing threat of terrorism once again in Afghanistan. The global community must mount pressure on the rulers of Afghanistan so that the menace of terror could be contained and curbed before Kabul becomes a terror hub once again.
