After the political vacuum created by the withdrawal of the U.S., both China and Russia are stepping in with aid and diplomatic support to the Taliban regime.
With the U.S. comprehensively defeated in Afghanistan and the Taliban in full control, Pakistan has acquired immense clout, slowly becoming clear to India. Both Russia and China had foreseen the present situation and taken amends to the right the diplomatic errors of the cold war. The China-Pakistan- Russia axis has become a reality, and India is nowhere in the picture.
Russian Aim- A Conduit to the Indian Ocean
According to the Indian Express, both Russia and China are increasing their Geo-Strategic presence in South, Central, and West Asia. After the political vacuum created by the withdrawal of the U.S., both China and Russia are stepping in with aid and diplomatic support to the Taliban regime.
It will achieve its geopolitical aim, which its predecessor Soviet Union, could not achieve. It will have a friendly outlet to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
The relationship between nations is based on the nation’s geopolitical interests. Pakistan and Russia were Cold war enemies. Today Russia has signed military hardware agreements, conducted joint exercises, and Russia is soon to become a major partner in the OBOR infra push of China.
Russia will be achieving many goals with its friendship with Pakistan. It will constrain the U.S and India, which the West is projecting as a check to a rising China. Way back in 2016, in its parleys with the Taliban, Russia had advocated a “flexible approach to deal with the Afghan Taliban. India steadfastly refused to engage the Taliban and is paying the price now.
The Chabahar port-Exercise of futility
The Chabahar port which India constructed in Iran will now prove useless. India’s reluctance to include Pakistan and bypass it for getting gas and oil from central Asia is irrelevant now. So what options India has?
A Mature Interaction
India will have to use its economic muscle to entice Pakistan, China, and Russia towards productive trade instead of following the oft-repeated ploy enemy’s enemy is my friend. It was very mature for the Indian government not to take any sides in the current skirmishes between the Taliban and the former Northern alliance in Panjshir.
India could also give a second look at the OBOR project of China. If India can offer a thoroughfare, the Chinese will be sure to reciprocate and have Russia’s support. It will also allay some of the paranoia suffered by our neighbor Pakistan.
