As the Taliban launched its 2.0 mission in Afghanistan, it had never expected such huge support from the allied groups of Russia, China, and Pak. But they have suddenly started cheering the Taliban for Afghanistan takeover. Afghanistan has always been a war-stricken nation for approximately 40 years. The land never saw peace as the world superpowers evaded it from time to time. But a significant matter is, they never left any foundation of peace for the country. Instead, what it got in return was a fertile base for more terrorism.

After the USA got control over Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks, it realized that funding the Taliban was a super big mistake! It formed a democratic government and brought about other reforms in Afghanistan. But alongside this, it also exploited all the wealth and resources of the country for over 20 years. Before leaving Afghanistan to hand it over to the Taliban, the last flight scene saw so many Afghanis desperately trying to cling to American planes in order to rescue their lives. But America showed no mercy as if the people are insects for them! 

Picture courtesy: Al Jazeera

Their planes swiftly took off from Kabul and the Taliban got control over Afghanistan. Moreover, the fleeing away of Afghan President Mr. Ashraf Ghani also made it clear in the minds of people that they have no option other than to help themselves on their own.

In between all this, an ironic scenery was also developing among 3 nations of the world. Their possible alliance with the help of the Taliban is quite likely to be formed now, as the Taliban rules Afghanistan. China, Pakistan, and Russia have given open acceptance to the Taliban government and its activities in Afghanistan.

What makes them so happy and confident of the Taliban’s win? Let us see one-by-one:

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2. 1.Human Rights and Religious extremism groups could take a backseat because China is all about money!

When the Taliban delegates visited China two months back, they were treated like rulers in-waiting. China showered them with respect and expressed happiness for them. As if it was waiting for Taliban’s big-move!

After the takeover also, China was adamant of Taliban’s victory over the Afghanistan and celebrated it by applauding them.

The reasons why China seeks satisfaction in the Taliban’s rule are:

• Afghanistan is the hub of many rare earth resources. Over the decades, every country has exploited the land’s resources and mines. China tends to offer financial support to the Taliban in return of the large reserves of Lithium, copper, etc. which could fuel the electric vehicles.

• It knows that the Taliban will require funding to form a govt. and rule there. They are ready to carry forward this mutual relationship with Taliban in return of their favors.

• A friendly Taliban could be a non-meddling Taliban. China holds a belief that if they keep Taliban happy it could help in resolving their Shonjang border issue. Instead of supporting the Islamic groups there who are living in labour camps, Taliban would force them out militarily. 

• China holds its ambitious BRI project. But the problem is its Silk Route only ends up till Afghanistan border. It is on hold from Peshawar to Kabul. China wants to extend the route from Kabul to Turkey followed by Europe, for trading purposes. And it knows this cannot happen without the help of Taliban.

• The total worth of natural minerals inside Afghan mines is estimated to be $3 trillion. It is obvious that China not only wants a large share of this money but also wants other powerful nations like India to stay away from it. That’s why it has started appreciating the Taliban positively.

• The ETIM (East- Turkestan Islamic Movement) and the Uyghur Extremist groups are big issues for China. And the interference of Taliban could either stop or provocate them.

2. Less about ideology; more about money for Russia

Russia, who very subtly appreciated the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan and alongside this joined hands with China, seems to be a clever fish in the sea. As the American planes left Afghanistan, and its military troops went away, Russia was the happiest among all. It seemed as if an old predator has been avenged. That’s why it is in appall of the Taliban for throwing off American troops just like America did with Soviet Union in 1989.

But the reasons for Russia’s support cannot be limited to this:

• Russia wants to form a probable alliance with Pakistan and China. With this, it wants to make a new equation in Central Asia, setting Afghanistan as their base. In this way, they could defy their arch-rival America as well as save their military, infrastructural projects, and energy pipelines which are present in Central Asia. Basically, they want to use Central Asia as their backyard and take support of the Taliban for that!

• They could sideline the ally of the USA, India, and put its projects on hold. Since India has proximity to Afghanistan, it will be the most affected.

• They also have an eye over the resources reserves of Afghanistan like China and want to exploit it fully.

• It wants ports that remain open all year round for trading. Since Russia’s ports lie in the snowfall area it is hard to trade from there. That’s why it wants Afghanistan ports to extend the trade to Iran and Arab nations.

• To control the violent Chechnya rebels it needs to support of Taliban. It wants to make sure its alliance in Central Asia proves to be fruitful and its already working projects are not affected.

Picture courtesy: Al Jazeera: THE SENSITIVE CHECHNYA REBELS

3. Setting up a proxy war through the Taliban seems more important to Pakistan

Pakistan is the happiest among all with the increasing violence in Afghanistan because it seems to benefit the most.

“Afghans have broken the shackles of slavery” the most controversial statement by the Pakistan PM came soon after the Taliban’s takeover. How can Pakistan emancipate this situation when 1000s of Afghan locals are trying to flee away from their homeland?The Taliban convinced people to believe that they could give more legitimate governance than the corrupt Afghan govt. is understood. But what role does Pakistan have to play in it?

• Just as Pakistan was funded by the US in the 2000s to leave the Soviet Union, similarly, it is hoping to fund the Taliban for governance in Afghanistan. In return for this help, they would get a share in the enormous wealth of natural resources of Afghanistan.

• It seeks to reduce India’s interference from the Balochistan Freedom Movement, and occupy it completely. For this purpose, it would require not only a terrorist but also military support from the Taliban.

• Pak also wants to create an obstacle in India’s initiative Chabahar Port in Iran.

• As the Taliban support to Pak would increase, it would become easy for them to work on their alliance in Central Asia and sideline India.

• The biggest issue is of growing terrorism. If Pak receives support from the Taliban it would be easier for them to send terrorist troops and conduct attacks, esp. in India. They would set up their base in Afghanistan easily.

• Taliban’s opium travels from Pak to Europe and America. The growing alliance would speed up this process too.

The Taliban has sacrificed millions of lives in Afghanistan earlier and continues to do so now. What is the biggest worry is the fear of these powerful nations giving acceptance to the Taliban.

Pakistan is using it for a proxy war,

China as a cash machine and

Russia for security purposes.

That’s why they all are working to build and clean the Taliban’s image in the eyes of the world.

But the question is, nobody sees anything wrong with it. The land of Afghanistan would never be in peace if it continues to be a hub of terrorism and extremism. This is not an ideological acceptance but a threat to humanity all over the world.

If their possible alliance comes into existence it would be a sinister deal between sinister partners!