On February 29, 2020,The US (United States) and Taliban militants have signed historic peace agreement in Doha, Qatar to restore peace in Afghanistan. The agreement, signed by the US special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in the presence of Michael Richard Pompeo,United States Secretary of State, would end the 18 years-long American war in Afghanistan.
Key Points:
i.Representatives of 30 countries around the world were also invited to witness this event, including India, Pakistan, Qatar, Turkey, Indonesia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) member countries, as well as members of the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC).
ii.India’s Ambassador to Qatar, P. Kumaran attend the USA-Taliban peace deal in Doha on behalf of India. This is the first time India has officially joined any Taliban related case.
iii.After the agreement, the US will withdraw all forces from Afghanistan within 14 months,in which it will draw forces down to 8,600 from 13,000 in the next 3-4 months.
After spending more than $750 billion and the martyrdom of American soldiers, the US considered it better to deal with the Taliban & hopeful that with the help of the Taliban, US will be able to clamp down on Iran.
iv.After the 9/11 attacks, the US President George W. Bush ordered the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 to wage war against the Taliban. The US has lost more than 2,400 soldiers in Afghanistan since late 2001.Hence The US now wants the withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan.
v.What will be the impact of the Taliban deal on India: Even though India is an important party to the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan, India’s crisis is going to increase manifold as Pakistan has good relations with the Taliban.After this deal, Pakistan can remove its terrorist camp from its country and send it to Afghanistan.
About Afghanistan:
Capital– Kabul
Currency– Afghan afghani
President– Ashraf Ghani
About United States(US):
Capital– Washington, D.C.
Currency– United States dollar ($) (USD)
President– Donald Trump
