Revision summary
August 2021 ended India’s Republic-era development partnership as it stood. Foothold now is aid, a technical presence, and counter-terror diplomacy. Chabahar remains the land-sea work-around to Pakistan. Recognition of the Taliban is still withheld. Success is measured by access and by security, not by a return to 2019 politics.
Model answer
Introduction
The Taliban entered Kabul in August 2021 as US and allied forces left. India’s embassy closed. Foothold now means humanitarian access, political contact without full legal recognition, connectivity options, and limits on anti-India terrorism. It does not mean the pre-2021 development-and-democracy partnership restored as it was.
Body
What was lost
- India had built the Afghan parliament building, the Salma Dam, power lines, and training for civilians and some security personnel under the Republic.
- Direct air and political access collapsed. Pakistan’s geography again sat across the land route.
What foothold can still mean
- Humanitarian food, medicine, and earthquake or winter aid keep an Indian name among Afghans and a channel to de facto authorities.
- A technical mission in Kabul, opened after 2021, is a thin diplomatic presence short of ambassadorial recognition of the Taliban government.
- Intelligence and regional tables with Russia, Iran, and Central Asian States aim at ISKP and at any use of Afghan soil against India.
- Chabahar and the INSTC idea remain a way to reach Afghanistan and Central Asia without Pakistan, if Iran sanctions and Afghan security allow cargo.
Constraints
- The Taliban’s ideology, treatment of women, and intra-Afghan war limit any values partnership.
- Pakistan’s influence is real though not total. China talks economic access. India is not first in either queue.
- Full recognition would clash with India’s own line on terrorism and with Western sanctions maps. Non-recognition without contact would mean zero foothold.
Policy mix
- Pragmatism: talk to the authority that holds Kabul. Culture and past investment: stay on the Afghan people’s side with aid.
- Do not outsource the file only to the Quad or only to Russia. It is a regional security file first.
Flow diagram
flowchart TD T[Taliban Aug 2021] --> L[Republic projects paused] L --> H[Humanitarian technical mission] H --> F[Limited foothold] C[Chabahar regional talks] --> F
Conclusion
India retains a foothold after August 2021 through aid, a limited mission, regional security talks, and the Chabahar option. It cannot restore the Republic-era political project. The test is whether Afghan soil is used against India and whether a civilian channel survives.
Quick related
Students also ask
-
Discuss the significance of "West Asia Quad" in the light of India's 'Look West' policy
Next question on this syllabus topic (2023 · Q8(b)). View answer →
-
Does a technical mission equal recognition?
No. Recognition is a legal-political act toward a government. A mission can be a contact point for aid and visas without that act.
-
Can India ignore the Taliban?
Ignoring them cedes the ground to Pakistan, China, and others. Contact without endorsement is the remaining middle.
PYQ trend
When UPSC asked this
Related PYQs from other years, newest first. Open a question to read it.
-
2024 · Q5(e) · PSIR GS 2 · 10 marks
Despite deep ties, India's relations with Sri Lanka have seen strains due to China's growing influence in Sri Lanka through investments and economic dominance. Analyse. -
2023 · Q5(a) · PSIR GS 2 · 10 marks
Explain the major features of India's Foreign Policy in the 21st century. -
2023 · Q7(a) · PSIR GS 2 · 20 marks
"India's Nuclear policy is deeply influenced by its cultural beliefs and the pragmatic approach of its foreign policy." Discuss -
2023 · Q8(b) · PSIR GS 2 · 15 marks
Discuss the significance of "West Asia Quad" in the light of India's 'Look West' policy -
2022 · Q5(a) · PSIR GS 2 · 10 marks
Peaceful co-existence remains the cornerstone of India's foreign policy. Comment. -
2022 · Q6(b) · PSIR GS 2 · 15 marks
Critically examine the major factors responsible for a turnaround in the trajectory of India's foreign policy in the post-cold war period -
2022 · Q8(a) · PSIR GS 2 · 20 marks
How does India-Israel bilateral ties reflect the autonomy of India's foreign policy choices? -
2022 · Q8(c) · PSIR GS 2 · 15 marks
Discuss India's vision of a New World order in the 21st century
More from this topic
Q5(c) · UPSC Mains 2025 · PSIR GS 2 · 10 marks
For India, a multipolar world order would also mean a multipolar Asia. Comment.
Recent developments in Indian Foreign policy
A multipolar world is several great-power centres; it is hollow for India if Asia is Sino-centric. India’s threats, trade and waters are Asian, so Asian power-sharing is the real test of the slogan. Japan, ASEAN centrality, Korea, Australia and India beside China and the U.S. are the intended map. Quad and FOIP are instruments of pluralism, not a finished concert. The claim is right as strategy and still aspirational as fact.
Q5(a) · UPSC Mains 2025 · PSIR GS 2 · 10 marks
China's growing footprint and a tangible shift in power dynamics in Bangladesh has weakened India's leverage in Dhaka. Comment.
Recent developments in Indian Foreign policy
India’s Bangladesh leverage after 2009 was tied to Sheikh Hasina; her 2024 exit opened space for China. Beijing’s BRI projects, credit and defence courtship give Dhaka an omni-enmeshment option. Indian delays on Teesta, a trade surplus and political optics of patronage stored grievances. The shift weakens Delhi’s privileged access but does not erase geography, power trade or transit. A less personality-based Neighbourhood First is the repair, not a hyper-realist sulk.
Q6(a) · UPSC Mains 2024 · PSIR GS 2 · 20 marks
Would you concur with the view that of late, India's foreign policy has been in a transition mode from Nehruvianism to Neoliberalism? Support your answer with the help of suitable examples.
Recent developments in Indian Foreign policy
Nehruvianism meant NAM, UN moralism and refusal of blocs; neoliberalism in this debate means markets, U.S. partnership and globalisation. 1991, Act East, the U.S. nuclear bargain and the Quad are the visible transition. India still refuses formal alliance, keeps Russia, defends WTO policy space and talks Global South — Nehruvian residues. Concur partly: instruments have shifted; doctrine of autonomy has not been abolished. Multi-alignment is the mix, not a clean replacement of one school by the other.
Toppers' copies
Toppers' copies for this question will be uploaded soon.