Neighbourhood Studies
Afghanistan
Deepening Challenges for the Ghani Government

The second round of intra-Afghan talks was concluded on 29 May 2019 in Moscow on the centenary of Russia-Afghanistan diplomatic relations during which the Taliban has once again refused the demand for a ceasefire.1 The courting of the Tali

Threats to Women’s Rights in Afghanistan

“Only the terrorist and the Taliban forbid education to the women. Only the terrorist and the Taliban threaten to pull out women’s fingernails for wearing nail polish….the fight against terrorism is also a fight for the rights and dignity of

अफगान वार्ता-लोगों को शामिल किये बगैर शांति वार्ता कैसे?

अफगानिस्तान में मध्यस्थता के लिए नियुक्त अमेरिका के विशेष प्रतिनिधि जमे खलिलजाद ने कतर में ता�

On The Eve of the Doha Round - Afghan Women Claim Their Space in the Peace Talks

This is an exceptionally confusing and exciting time in Afghanistan, and (we hope) a turning point in the history of the country. The US and the Afghan government representatives, together with civil society representatives are due to sit across the

Kabul’s Muscle-Flexing amidst recent Tensions

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent assertion that Pakistan would play a key role in the Afghan peace settlement has contributed to the latest downswing of ties between these two nations.1 In his address to journalists, Imran Khan not onl

Moscow Talks: Divided We Fall

In an unprecedented move, the Taliban delegation held two-day talks with the Afghan politicians in a Kremlin-owned President Hotel in Moscow to discuss the future of Afghanistan. However, in a rather typical manner, the Afghan Government was once aga

Afghanistan’s Landlocked Trap

Pakistan’s denial of the air passage to the Indian cargo flights bound to Afghanistan comes as a major impediment in enhancing the regional connectivity of landlocked Afghanistan.1 In September 2018, Spice Jet has signed up a contract wi

Afghan Talks - Talking Peace without the People?

Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, tweeted at the end of six-day long peace talks with Taliban in Qatar that discussions have made “significant progress”. According to the media reports, the two sides

The Great Game Revisited*

The continuing turmoil in Afghanistan and the entry of several players in Central Asia, in what has been called the New Great Game, is likely to get further complicated. This is due to the reported move of the US to pullout half their troops from Afg

Moscow Regional Consultations on Afghanistan: Can India Play a Role?

On 9 November 2018, Moscow organised regional consultations on Afghanistan which were attended by the Taliban’s Qatar office and the representatives of the Afghan High Peace Council. This was the first time that the Taliban and the representatives

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