My enemy's enemy : India in Afghanistan from the Soviet invasion to the US withdrawal / Avinash Paliwal.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Paliwal, Avinash, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

India--Foreign relations--1984-.

India.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

New York, NY : Oxford University Press, [2017]

Summary:

The archetype of 'my enemy's enemy is my friend', India's political and economic presence in Afghanistan is often viewed as a Machiavellian ploy aimed against Pakistan. Challenging deeply held beliefs about an India-Pakistan proxy war, this work offers a nuanced explanation of India's strategic intent and actions, which is critical to resolving the seemingly unending war in Afghanistan, as well as wider bilateral disputes between the two South Asian rivals.

Contents:

Cover

Half-title

Title

Copyright

Dedication

Contents

Acknowledgements

Acronyms

Prologue: A Curse

1. In Pursuit of Friendship: India's Quest in Afghanistan

The question

Partisans and conciliators

The argument

Note on theory

Note on definitions

Note on sources

Structure of the book

Part I: Debating Neutrality

2. Kabuliwallah: A Brief History of India-Afghanistan Relations

An emotional bond

A historical bond

Indian 'Anschluss'

A tilt and a coup

'Afghanistan is not Czechoslovakia'

Conclusion

3. Leaning Tower of Delhi: Managing the Soviet Invasion and Withdrawal

U-Turn

Strategic failure

Death of consensus

Leaning tower of Delhi

Kabul durbar

Rajiv-Najib affair

Part II: Debating Containment

4. The Taliban Dilemma: Partisans Versus Conciliators

A failed escape

'Plane-load of Mujahideen'

Rise of the conciliators

Kashmir connection

Taliban dilemma

Conciliators respond to the Taliban

Rise of partisans

Spy talk

5. Friends from North, Foes from South: India, United Front, and the Hijacking of Flight IC-814

Friends from north

Afghanistan's 'Che Guevara'

'Pakistan's Vietnam'

The UN fails

Persian connection

Russia's bear hug

'A basket of worst alternatives'

Foes from south?

6. War and Terror: Destruction in Bamiyan and the Aftermath of 9/11

An overflowing 'cup of evil'

Six plus two

Engaging Washington

Don't trust the Americans

To ally, or not to ally

Bonn compromise

Part III: Debating Engagement

7. 'Maximum Leader': Hamid Karzai, India, and the Kabul Durbar

New beginnings

'(Nice) Big brother is here to stay'

'Maximum leader'

Afghan reactions

'Karzai is no Massoud'

Military wish list

Conclusion.

8. No Good Taliban? India's Taliban Learning Curve

No good Taliban?

Kidnap and kill

Leave or die

'A wolf in wolf 's clothing'

Accommodating the 'Afghan' Taliban

Baloch and Pashtun cards

9. First as Tragedy, then as Farce: Managing the US Withdrawal

A mismatch made in heaven

Iraq versus Afghanistan

'The second deception'

Competing models of reconciliation

Persian disconnect

Bleeding heart of Asia

Epilogue: A Blessing

Appendix: Interviews conducted by the author

Notes

Select Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Previously issued in print: 2017.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource: title from PDF title page (EBook Central, viewed October 3, 2023).

ISBN:

0-19-091158-1

0-19-087256-X