In international political arena aid is a strategic asset used by donors to achieve a specific political objective.
Indian aid to Afghanistan is therefore a means to isolate Pakistan. Some may argue that accepting aid knowing the motive of the donor may be immoral. The truth is, in international relations nothing is based on morality.
Every country, nation or community tries to serve its own interests by engaging with other entities. Afghanistan as a country has always played a subservient role in relationships with others. During the communist era, it served Soviet interests to detriment of Afghan nation. The Jihadi factions served American and Pakistani interests, again to our own detriment.
During the Taliban era, Afghanistan was paralyzed and isolated. The parties who maintained political ties with Afghanistan (Pakistan & Arab countries) failed us by because yet again, Afghanistan was the lesser party in those relationships.
In the last 15 years, the current regime in Kabul failed Afghanistan by engaging yet again in similar relationships with powerful entities. Foreign aid didn't contribute to long term sustainable growth of our economy and infrastructure.
Our closest neighbors, Iran and Pakistan have always pursued policies harmful to our interests. This is why, even Shiite Afghans who may benefit from Iranian aid still don't have any true loyalty towards the regime in Tehran. Similarly, the Taliban may have relied on Pakistan's policy for years and still, they have shown resent towards them.
Our closest neighbors can't even win the loyalty of groups they consider their own assets in Afghanistan because their policies don't serve the people of Afghanistan.
The successful completion of Salma Dam project is a break with the traditional relationship Afghans had with their external allies. Investing in large infrastructure projects is what results to long lasting effect to our economy and overal progress in Afghanistan.
The major partner and sponsor of Kabul regime, USA had the money and means to facilitate similar projects. Yet they have failed the Afghan people.
The current regime in Kabul should capitalize on the success of Afghan-Indian relationship. It may hurt Pakistan and Irans interests and it may be that the reason why India is helping us is because they want to weaken Pakistan. As a recipient of aid we should use similar aid from other donors who have strategic interests in providing aid necessary to build infrastructure and other facilities necessary to develop our economy and self reliance.
For decades, our closest neighbors relied on policies detrimental to our economy and stability. Now that others are willing to provide us with aid which serves our interests and may hurt our neighbors we should accept them and demand only aid on these conditions.
If Arab countries want to give us any support in order to weaken Irans regional power, it should be in form of sustainable energy, infrastructure and other productive projects. Similarly, if India wants to invest in our country in order to weaken Pakistans control over our country, it should be in projects like Salma dam.
As a weaker party in international political arena, we should use our weakness as an asset. We should engage in ties with other entities based on mutual interests.
Indian aid to Afghanistan is therefore a means to isolate Pakistan. Some may argue that accepting aid knowing the motive of the donor may be immoral. The truth is, in international relations nothing is based on morality.
Every country, nation or community tries to serve its own interests by engaging with other entities. Afghanistan as a country has always played a subservient role in relationships with others. During the communist era, it served Soviet interests to detriment of Afghan nation. The Jihadi factions served American and Pakistani interests, again to our own detriment.
During the Taliban era, Afghanistan was paralyzed and isolated. The parties who maintained political ties with Afghanistan (Pakistan & Arab countries) failed us by because yet again, Afghanistan was the lesser party in those relationships.
In the last 15 years, the current regime in Kabul failed Afghanistan by engaging yet again in similar relationships with powerful entities. Foreign aid didn't contribute to long term sustainable growth of our economy and infrastructure.
Our closest neighbors, Iran and Pakistan have always pursued policies harmful to our interests. This is why, even Shiite Afghans who may benefit from Iranian aid still don't have any true loyalty towards the regime in Tehran. Similarly, the Taliban may have relied on Pakistan's policy for years and still, they have shown resent towards them.
Our closest neighbors can't even win the loyalty of groups they consider their own assets in Afghanistan because their policies don't serve the people of Afghanistan.
The successful completion of Salma Dam project is a break with the traditional relationship Afghans had with their external allies. Investing in large infrastructure projects is what results to long lasting effect to our economy and overal progress in Afghanistan.
The major partner and sponsor of Kabul regime, USA had the money and means to facilitate similar projects. Yet they have failed the Afghan people.
The current regime in Kabul should capitalize on the success of Afghan-Indian relationship. It may hurt Pakistan and Irans interests and it may be that the reason why India is helping us is because they want to weaken Pakistan. As a recipient of aid we should use similar aid from other donors who have strategic interests in providing aid necessary to build infrastructure and other facilities necessary to develop our economy and self reliance.
For decades, our closest neighbors relied on policies detrimental to our economy and stability. Now that others are willing to provide us with aid which serves our interests and may hurt our neighbors we should accept them and demand only aid on these conditions.
If Arab countries want to give us any support in order to weaken Irans regional power, it should be in form of sustainable energy, infrastructure and other productive projects. Similarly, if India wants to invest in our country in order to weaken Pakistans control over our country, it should be in projects like Salma dam.
As a weaker party in international political arena, we should use our weakness as an asset. We should engage in ties with other entities based on mutual interests.

Comment