(Video) Rajya Sabha TV (RSTV) The Big Picture: The Afghanistan Puzzle & India

Topic: The Afghanistan Puzzle & India

Guest:

Shakti Sinha, (Foreign Affairs Expert)
Vivek Katju, (Former Ambassador)
Maj. Gen. Shashi Asthana (Retd., Strategic Expert)

Topic Description:

India on Sunday welcomed the power-sharing deal announced by Afghanistan between President Ashraf Ghani and his rival Abdullah Abdullah, which ended months of political discord triggered by last year’s disputed presidential election. The Ministry of External Affairs said India hoped the political agreement and creation of a council for national reconciliation will result in renewed efforts for establishing enduring peace and stability, and putting an end to externally-sponsored terrorism and violence in Afghanistan. According to the deal, Ghani will stay as the president while Abdullah will helm the High Council of National Reconciliation (HCNR) with executive authority and his team will have a 50 per cent share in the cabinet. The HCNR has been mandated to lead future peace talks, including with the Taliban.