Context:

The United States has signed an agreement with Taliban insurgents that could pave the way for ending the 18-year-war in Afghanistan in Doha (Qatar).

Highlights of the Agreement

• Military troops withdrawal: It lays out a 14-month timetable for the withdrawal of “all military forces of the United States, its allies, and Coalition partners, including all non-diplomatic civilian personnel, private security contractors, trainers, advisors, and supporting services personnel.”
• Release of prisoners: The agreement also calls for the release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners and 1,000 “prisoners of the other side” on the fi rst day of intra-Afghan negotiations. The relevant sides have the goal of releasing all the remaining prisoners over the course of the subsequent three months.
• Comprehensive Ceasefire between the Afghan Government and Taliban.
• The prevention of the use of Afghanistan by any group or individual against the security of the United States and its allies.
• Facilitation of an intra-Afghan dialogue: The participants of intra-Afghan negotiations will discuss the date and modalities of a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire, including agreement over the future political roadmap of Afghanistan.

India’s Stand

• India has been always supportive of the inclusive peace process, specifically Afghan-owned, Afghan-led, and Afghan-controlled.
• The participation of the Afghan government’s delegation during the Doha agreement as well as the upcoming intra-Afghan peace negotiations would be following the path desired by India.
• The deal has reiterated India’s commitment to Afghanistan’s pursuit of “sustainable peace and reconciliation”.
• Thus, India has accepted the Doha Agreement (2020).