1. why in news
1.1. The Joe Biden administration has proposed a new peace plan to the Afghan government and the Taliban,
1.1.1. seeking to bring violence to a halt and form an interim government
2. What is the US proposal
2.1. UN-led conference of representatives of Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, India, and the U.S.
2.1.1. “to discuss a unified approach to support peace in Afghanistan
2.2. sharing of written proposals with the Afghan leadership and the Taliban to accelerate talks.
2.3. Consensus building by both Afghan govt and Taliban
2.3.1. for
2.3.1.1. Afghanistan’s future constitutional and governing arrangements
2.3.1.2. finding a road map to a new “inclusive government
2.3.1.3. agreeing on the terms of a “permanent and comprehensive ceasefire
2.4. Senior level meeting
2.4.1. between Afghan govt and Taliban
2.4.2. in Turkey
2.4.3. to discuss power sharing, reduction of violence and other specific goals.
3. Why is US pressurising for the peace
3.1. Consensus in US
3.1.1. accelerating the peace process” is the best way to advance the shared interests of the U.S. and the Afghan government.
3.2. According to the agreement the U.S. signed with the Taliban in February 2020,
3.2.1. American troops - currently some 2,500 troops are in Afghanistan - are set to leave the country by May 1.
3.2.2. The Taliban have warned that if the U.S. troops are not out by the deadline, they will step up fighting.
3.3. SLow pace of peace talks
3.3.1. between Afghan Govt and Taliban
3.4. US worried about Taliban takeover
3.4.1. after US forces withdraw
3.4.2. the best way to prevent a complete Taliban takeover is a regional peace process and an interim unity government.
4. Afghanistan Government's stand
4.1. critical of the U.S.’s direct outreach to the Taliban
4.1.1. US held talks with Taliban excluding the Afghan govt
4.1.2. Washington put pressure on Kabul to release Taliban prisoners as part of an agreement it reached with the insurgents.
4.2. Ghani has made clear
4.2.1. as elected President, is the only legitimate representative of the Afghan people and he resisted making concessions to the Taliban.
4.3. opposition to any transfer of power except through elections.
5. In favour of Taliban
5.1. 2 Options for Aghan Govt
5.1.1. If He doesnt accepts US proposal
5.1.1.1. The War with Taliban will go on forever
5.1.1.1.1. Taliban have already taken over much of the country’s hinterlands
5.1.2. IF he accepts the US proposal
5.1.2.1. he will have to share power with the Taliban and discuss amendments to the Constitution and the future governance framework.
6. Concerns of India
6.1. U.S.’s plan to ask the government of Turkey to host a senior-level meeting of “both sides to finalise a peace agreement.”
6.1.1. indicates a greater role for Turkey, as well as Turkish troops as a part of a proposed “NATO stabilisation force”
6.1.1.1. India is concerned given close ties between Turkey and Pakistan
6.2. desire to replace Mr. Ghani’s government with an interim government that would include the Taliban’s nominees.
6.2.1. shows US agrees that Taliban has a legitimate place in Afghanistan
6.3. the U.S.’s outlined discussions on a “negotiated settlement and ceasefire”
6.3.1. Doesnt include a reference to principles which India has always emphasized
6.3.1.1. democratic principles,
6.3.1.2. the elected government
6.3.1.3. Rights of women and minorities
7. Other concerns
7.1. Unless the Taliban agrees to a comprehensive ceasefire first,
7.1.1. throwing out the democratic set-up in favour of an interim government
7.1.1.1. would only facilitate the Taliban’s goal of delegitimising the Afghan state
7.1.1.2. making it easier for the Taliban to topple the state militarily,