Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
2. The U.S.-Taliban settlement may not bring lasting peace to Afghanistan and the region at large. Examine. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why this question:
The question is based on the article that presents a critical analysis of the Peace accord between the US and the Taliban that was signed recently.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must critically present a detailed analysis of the peace accord and the concerns associated with it.
Directive:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly narrate the background of the whole issue in the region.
Body:
The U.S. seeks to exit Afghanistan with assurances from the Taliban that the insurgents will not allow Afghan soil to be used by transnational terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda and that they would engage the Kabul government directly to find a lasting solution to the civil war. Discuss the concerns associated in detail. The fundamental issue with the U.S.’s Taliban engagement is that it deliberately excluded the Afghan government in the negotiations. The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan will invariably weaken the Kabul government, altering the balance of power both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table of the intra-Afghan talks. The deal, though sets the stage for America to wind down the longest war in its history, leaves the Afghan people at the mercy of violent, tribal Islamists. Etc. Discuss the concerns specifically posed by the deal to India.
Conclusion:
Conclude by suggesting what should be the way forward.
