Indian Military Presence In Afghanistan: A Strategic Partnership

India has no military presence in Afghanistan. However, it has been one of the largest donors to Afghanistan, investing in the economy, humanitarian aid, education, development, construction, and electrical. India has also trained thousands of Afghan military personnel over the years in counter-terrorism operations, military field-craft, signals, intelligence-gathering, and information technology, among other fields. Scores have also undergone the “Young Officers’ course” at the Infantry School in Mhow as well as training at the specialised counter-insurgency and jungle warfare school at Vairengte in Mizoram.

India has no military presence in Afghanistan

India's stance on Afghanistan

India has been cautious in its approach toward Afghanistan, relying more on assistance-driven foreign policy measures rather than engaging militarily in the war-torn country. India has no military presence in Afghanistan.

History of India's involvement in Afghanistan

India has a long history of involvement in Afghanistan, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization. In modern times, India was the only South Asian country to recognize the Soviet-backed Democratic Republic of Afghanistan in the 1980s. India aided the overthrow of the Taliban and became the largest regional provider of humanitarian and reconstruction aid to the former Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

India's foreign policy

India's foreign policy towards Afghanistan is driven by a desire to prevent Pakistan from using Afghan territory for its anti-India designs. India seeks to build transportation links that bypass Pakistan and reduce Afghanistan's economic dependence on its neighbor.

India's contributions to Afghanistan

India has provided over $3 billion in aid and reconstruction activities in Afghanistan, including building Afghanistan's Parliament, schools, hospitals, power stations, and stadiums. India has also provided material and financial support, such as shipments of wheat and pulses, and medicines.

India's position on the Taliban

The Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021 posed a challenge to India's interests in the country. India had to evacuate its embassy and consulates and faced the loss of influence it had gained during the previous civilian government.

India's strategy going forward

India has taken steps to engage with the Taliban and provide humanitarian and development assistance. India appointed a special envoy dedicated to Afghan reconciliation and has provided food aid and financial support. However, India has been cautious about recognizing the Taliban government and has focused on engaging through regional groupings like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

India's approach to Afghanistan is shaped by its desire to counter Pakistani influence and promote stability in the region. While India has provided significant assistance, it has refrained from direct military involvement, opting for a soft power approach instead.

India has trained thousands of Afghan military personnel

India has been heavily involved in Afghanistan's nation-building efforts since 2001. It has supplied military hardware to the Afghan National Defence & Security Forces (ANDSF) and has trained thousands of Afghan military personnel in counter-terrorism operations, military field-craft, signals, intelligence-gathering, and information technology, among other fields.

The bulk of the training has taken place at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, the Officers' Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai, and the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune. Scores have also undergone the "Young Officers' course" at the Infantry School in Mhow, as well as training at the specialised counter-insurgency and jungle warfare school at Vairengte in Mizoram.

On average, around 700 to 800 Afghan soldiers per year have attended short-duration, tailor-made courses at different Indian military establishments for well over a decade. In addition, 80-100 cadets were coming for pre-commissioning training at IMA, OTA, and NDA every year. The Afghan Army Chief, General Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai, was slated to visit India in late 2021 to seek a further boost in military assistance and training for his war-ravaged country. However, the visit was canceled due to the rapid advances made by the Taliban in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US-led forces.

The future of the Afghan soldiers and cadets undergoing training in India remains uncertain following the Taliban's swift seizure of control of Afghanistan. The Indian government will have to decide whether to send them back to Afghanistan or wait until the situation stabilizes. One possibility is that they will join the Afghan Army troops who have joined ranks with the Taliban, as most other Afghan military officials have done. However, there is no clarity at the moment about what these cadets and soldiers will do when they return to their country or whether they will return soon.

Afghanistan's request for Indian troops

Afghanistan has requested military aid from India in the form of peacekeeping troops. However, India has ruled out sending troops, citing its policy of providing economic and humanitarian aid to the war-torn country. Instead, India has provided military hardware, training, and other forms of support to Afghanistan over the years.

Historical Context

Afghanistan has a history of conflict, dating back to the Soviet invasion in 1979 and the subsequent civil war that lasted from 1992 to 1996. The Taliban, which rose to power in 1996, was ousted by the United States invasion in 2001. However, despite the presence of US-led forces, the Taliban remained a formidable force and controlled large parts of the country.

Recent Developments

In recent years, the United States has sought to end its military involvement in Afghanistan, announcing plans for a troop withdrawal. This decision has emboldened the Taliban, who have made rapid advances and seized control of several provincial capitals. The Afghan government, facing a deteriorating security situation, has requested military support from India and other countries.

India's Response

India has been a key partner in Afghanistan's development and reconstruction, investing over $3 billion in aid and infrastructure projects. India has also provided military hardware, including attack helicopters and training to Afghan security forces. However, when it comes to sending troops, India has been reluctant. Official statements from the Indian Defense Minister and other sources have confirmed that there will be "no boots on the ground" in Afghanistan.

Reasons for Reluctance

India's reluctance to send troops to Afghanistan stems from several strategic, logistical, and historical considerations:

• Historical Precedents: Interventions by foreign powers in Afghanistan, including the British in 1842, the Soviet Union in 1979-1989, and the United States since 9/11, have not had successful outcomes.
• Logistical Challenges: There are limited options for providing logistical support to Indian troops in Afghanistan, with the only workable route being through Iran's Chabahar port, which may not be reliable due to rising tensions between Iran and the United States.
• Counter-Insurgency Concerns: Deploying Indian troops could lead to attacks by Pakistan-backed proxies, requiring further troop deployments and escalating the conflict.
• Regional Stability: India's presence could be seen as a Hindu army occupying Muslim lands, stoking religious sentiments and destabilizing the region.
• Alternative Support: India can contribute to peace and stability by providing alternative forms of support, such as training, maintenance of military equipment, and spare parts.

Future Considerations

While India has ruled out sending troops, the dynamic nature of the situation in Afghanistan means that future decisions will depend on evolving circumstances. India's primary goal is to prevent a Taliban takeover and ensure peace and stability in the region. As a regional power, India seeks to play a role in securing Afghanistan, but it must carefully weigh the costs and risks associated with any military involvement.

The Indian experience of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka and India have historically shared close cultural ties. Sri Lanka's two dominant religions, Buddhism and Hinduism, and its two major ethnic groups, the Sinhalese and the Tamils, migrated to the island from India. Indian influence has also been pervasive in fields such as art, architecture, literature, music, medicine, and astronomy.

Despite these obvious affinities, Sri Lanka has developed a unique identity that sets it apart from its neighbour. This is partly due to the island's physical separation from the subcontinent, which has allowed for independent growth and change. For example, Buddhism, which virtually disappeared from India, continued to flourish in Sri Lanka, particularly among the Sinhalese. Additionally, the Sinhalese language, which originated from Indo-Aryan dialects, became indigenous to Sri Lanka and developed its own literary tradition.

Sri Lanka's position as a nexus of important maritime trade routes has also played a significant role in its cultural development. Long before the European discovery of an oceanic route to India, Sri Lanka was known to Greek, Roman, Persian, Armenian, Arab, Malay, and Chinese sailors. With the arrival of Europeans, the strategic importance of Sri Lanka increased, and Western maritime powers fought for control of its shores. Both Sri Lanka and India experienced European influence and colonial rule, tightening the long-standing links between the two countries.

In recent history, India has played a significant role in Sri Lanka's internal conflicts, particularly during the Sri Lankan Civil War. In the 1970s and 1980s, private entities and elements within India were believed to be encouraging the funding and training of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a separatist insurgent force. In 1987, India intervened directly in the conflict for the first time after the Sri Lankan government attempted to regain control of the northern Jaffna region. India supplied food and medicine and entered into an agreement with Sri Lanka, assigning regional autonomy to the Tamil areas. India also sent a peacekeeping force, the Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF), to enforce disarmament and watch over the regional council.

However, the LTTE rejected the accord and refused to hand over their weapons to the IPKF, leading to military conflict with the Indian Army. The conflict between the LTTE and the IPKF left over 1,115 Indian soldiers dead and resulted in nationalist anger and resentment towards the Indian presence in Sri Lanka. The IPKF was accused of human rights violations and was eventually withdrawn by March 1990.

In more recent years, India has continued to play a supportive role in Sri Lanka, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and the country's economic crisis. India provided vaccines, oxygen, and financial assistance to help Sri Lanka through these challenging times.

Overall, the Indian experience of Sri Lanka has been shaped by historical, cultural, and religious ties, as well as shared colonial experiences and internal conflicts. India remains a key partner for Sri Lanka in economic endeavours and has provided support during times of crisis.

The Indian Air Force has depleted fighter squadron strength

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has seen its fighter squadron strength diminish over the years, falling well below its authorised strength of 42 squadrons. As of 2024, the IAF has 31 fighter squadrons, with roughly 18 fighters per squadron. This number is expected to rise to 35-36 by the middle of the 2030s. However, the gap between the current strength and the target strength is more significant than it appears due to serviceability issues and the non-availability of spare parts.

The IAF's predicament is exacerbated each year as combat aircraft retire, and several frontline aircraft are scheduled to be phased out by the end of the decade. The MiG-21 Bison squadron, for example, is set to be phased out in the next few months, while the remaining three squadrons are planned to be phased out by 2025. The Jaguar and MiG-29 aircraft will also begin phasing out by the end of the decade.

To address the declining fighter squadron strength, the IAF is scouting for foreign fighters while also exploring indigenous options. The IAF has placed significant faith in the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, with the government ordering 83 Tejas MK1A jets scheduled for delivery from 2024. Additionally, the Defence Acquisition Council approved the purchase of 97 more MK1A Tejas in 2023. The IAF is also in the process of firming up the technical and air staff qualitative requirements for the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme, with plans to acquire 114 multi-role fighters.

The IAF's current combat assets include the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, Rafale, and LCA Tejas squadrons. The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is the dominant aircraft in the IAF's fleet, with around 270 in service. The IAF has also inducted two squadrons of the indigenous LCA Tejas and two squadrons of Rafale fighter jets from France, helping to bolster its capabilities.

The IAF's primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and conduct aerial warfare during armed conflicts. It plays a crucial role in providing close air support to the Indian Army and strategic airlift capabilities. The IAF also assists in civil power during natural calamities and internal disturbances, as seen during various relief operations in response to natural disasters.

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