By Shamim Shahid and Abdul Waheed Waheed 

In order to participate in third conference scheduled to be held at Doha, Qatar on June 30th till July 3 next,  regarding ongoing situation and future prospects of Afghanistan, the Taliban leaders governing Kabul have held talks with representatives of the United Nations and Qatar, and come up with the demand of Afghanistan seat in United Nations.

In connection with making successful the event, UN Secretary General’s representatives are touring the region. The UN representative had visited Kabul couple of days back and held details conversations with Taliban office holders. Taliban leadership besides listening to UN officioals also handed over a list of its demands which included beside others recognition of its Emirate Islami and giving it the UN seat on permanent grounds.

Whatever might be its conclusion and decisions but almost sessions of over three days much important gathering to be attended by a number of countries, either having stakes or interested in ending of over four decades conflict in Afghanistan but Taliban’s decision banning girls’ education, ending women’s jobs and establishing an inclusive government are believed to be its main key terms on the agenda. But instead, Taliban wants to include its achievements like controlling drugs production and its eradication, improving security situation and combating the IS (Daesh) militants considering a serious threat to the global peace may be made part of the agenda.

But apart from UN and Taliban, others especially European and Far Eastern world would definitely highlight political and rights issues as no one is allowed to exercise just human rights, Since mid of August 2021, forced disappearance, mysterious target and extra judicial killing, detention of men and women, denying just rights of expression to media personnel, making mum and even killing and beating of singers, musicians and artists are considered routine matters across Afghanistan. It will also be hard for the global community to remain silent spectators to what happening at hands of gun-totting Taliban inside prison houses and detention centers with all those who have served the country in different categories. All those who either remained in civil or in security organs since November 2001 last are still treated by Taliban as “enemies and American agents.” Hundreds of such people are locked in prisons for undine since August 2021 last.

Why it is hard for the regional countries to recognize Taliban

Except Russian Federation, nor any other country extended either any support to Taliban or willing to endorse its demand for giving representation in UN and recognition of its regime. Though Chinese are willing to recognize Taliban but they (Chinese) are aware its prices. It could be hard for China to formally recognize Taliban regime before of any other member of international community. Pakistan is making conditional all of its support and cooperation to Taliban. Compare to recent past, Pakistan’s position on the issue of Afghanistan is now different but still it effecting rest of the worlds on the grounds of its domains over “Islamic hardlines.”

In such a circumstances, defending its case could be very hard for Taliban in much high profile Doha Conference, considered biggest event in Qatar after February 2020 last when the US and Pakistan backed Afghan Taliban signed an agreement. Through this agreement, Taliban succeeded in returning to power but they had failed in earning hearts of common Afghans who having no any concern that who is in power and who is governing Afghanistan but they are much more interested in peace and tranquility in their motherland.

On such grounds, participation of Taliban government Doha Conference would definitely requires with strong arguments, especially with a positive approach, adopting a flexible and showing a balanced flexibility in the framework of its internal and external responsibilities and obligations.  At the international level, the Taliban can communicate to the international community positive aspects of their achievements especially defending sovereignty and solidarity of the country, ensuring peace and tranquility and discouraging production of opium and its conversion in valuable commodities and its trafficking as well. Similarly patiently listening, understanding and  responding its positive assurances about common men ( Afghans) miseries from the participants/observers and HR  activists  could make beneficial the Taliban who are now reluctant to share powers with others despite commitments made in Doha February 2020 historical documents.

Doha conference is significant opportunity for the Taliban

The Third globally applauded Doha conference might be a valuable opportunity for Taliban rulers as through it in return of international community’s demands pertained to honouring of human rights, allowing girls education and women to contribute in addressing economic needs of families, ending of political victimization and others, Taliban could easily cash its achievements. Doha conference could prove a golden chance for Taliban to review its all those internal and external shortfalls as Afghanistan is still on the bank of another global strategy, whereas US lead allies days and nights made hard by Russian federation on defense side and Chinese on economic side.

Attending the said meeting will certainly reduce sensitivity and mistrust of global community towards Taliban, calling also Emirate Islami Afghanistan. Through this event, Taliban could easily convey its messages to rest of the world and can easily convince some of community fellows in favour of its achievements. Similarly through this event, Taliban could easily convince rest of the world which is really interested in nothing else except ending of hostilities and return to peace and tranquility in the war devastated Afghanistan. Through this scheduled event, Taliban without support or assistance of any third party mediation, could easily response to reservations and observations of international community and can get a lot for the war affected people of Afghanistan. It is the time

Whatever might be the situation, Taliban must avail the opportunity otherwise its decision of didn’t attending the moot could be an emotional blunder. Though Taliban would call it an independence in decisions and didn’t bowing head to compromise its principles in according to their own interpreted Islamic doctrine but it would pose very bad impacts on the future of already over war devastated Afghanistan. It would make more isolate Afghanistan at the time when its sheltered banned Tehrik Taliban Afghanistan is considered a serious threats to its links with Pakistan and Russian Federation and some of Central Asian countries are considering Afghanistan sheltered IS militants a threat to its peace.

Senior defence officials and government leaders from around the world presented their case for regional peace and stability at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore over the weekend.

The US and China proposed different mechanisms for partnership and cooperation in the region, with delegates at times disagreeing on various issues.

The summit also took place against a tense international backdrop, ranging from disputes in the South China Sea to Israeli aggression in Gaza and the ongoing war in Ukraine. During the three-day event, senior officials held numerous bilateral and several closed-door meetings.

US-China tensions

The world’s two largest economies laid out different paths for regional cooperation at the Shangri-La Dialogue. On Saturday, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin outlined America’s vision of a broad network of partnerships with Indo-Pacific countries. This vision is also seen as a US attempt to ‘contain and contain’ China through its allies in the region.

Austin advocated a ‘new convergence’ of stronger and more resilient ties in the region, not tied to a single alliance or coalition, but made up of ‘overlapping and complementary initiatives and institutions’. Austin stressed that the US commitment to the Indo-Pacific is ‘all-encompassing’.

His Chinese counterpart, Defence Minister Dong Jun, spoke of his country’s ‘five principles of peaceful coexistence’: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.

Referring to Washington’s push for an anti-China alliance in the region, Dong Jun said: ‘Our people oppose any attempt to turn our countries into vassal states or drag us into bloc conflicts. Our people despise those who seek to strengthen themselves by taking orders from hegemonic powers.

The Taiwan debate was also on the agenda. Taiwan’s new pro-independence leader, Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party, made an anti-China and pro-independence speech at his swearing-in ceremony last week, sparking tensions. Beijing responded by calling the speech ‘provocative and separatist’ and then launched military exercises around the island to ‘blockade’ Taiwan.

On Friday, US Defence Secretary Austin described the Chinese People’s Liberation Army drill as ‘provocative’ and expressed ‘concern’.

Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun reiterated the ‘one China’ principle during a question-and-answer session at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Sunday.

Dong stressed that China would not hesitate to take ‘decisive action’ to prevent any move towards independence for the island, in a strong response to Taiwan separatism. He said any attempt to separate the island from China would lead to ‘self-destruction’. Experts pointed out that this was the first time the term had been used.

Surprise visit by Zelenskiy

In a surprise move, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky also travelled to Singapore to support the ‘peace summit’ scheduled for 15-16 June in Switzerland. The Ukrainian leader said 106 countries and 75 heads of state had confirmed their attendance.

We need the support of Asian countries,’ Zelensky told reporters on Sunday. Ukraine is trying to persuade more developing countries from the so-called global south to attend, including China, which has said it will not attend without a representative from Russia. But the Ukrainian leader on Sunday accused Beijing of working with Moscow to prevent countries from attending the upcoming forum. Zelensky said Russia was using China’s regional influence and diplomats to block the summit. It is unfortunate that a big, independent and powerful country like China is a tool in Putin’s hands,” he said.

Philippines-China tensions continue

Tensions between the Philippines and China over the South China Sea, another area of conflict, continued at the meeting.

In the forum’s opening speech, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. responded to China’s “illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions” without naming any country. Marcos argued that if tensions in the South China Sea resulted in the death of a Philippine citizen, it would be ‘an act close to war’. He stressed that such an event could trigger the Mutual Defence Treaty signed with the US in 1951. In previous statements, Marcos had said that the treaty would be activated if a Filipino soldier died as a result of a foreign attack.

It was noted that the US ‘welcomed’ Marcos’ speech.

In response, the Chinese Defence Minister said in his speech: ‘We will not allow hegemonism and power politics to harm the interests of Asia-Pacific countries. We will not allow anyone to bring hot or cold geopolitical conflicts or wars to our region. We will not allow any country or power to create conflict and chaos in our region.

Gaza

In their speeches, Indonesia and Malaysia expressed concern over Israel’s attacks on Gaza.

In a special address on Saturday, Indonesian Defence Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto said the new proposal for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was an ‘important step in the right direction’ towards ending the eight-month war. Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country, has no formal relations with Israel.

As part of the new proposal, Prabowo pledged Indonesia’s willingness to contribute ‘significant’ peacekeepers to maintain and monitor a possible ceasefire if needed and requested by the United Nations. The new leader said the Southeast Asian country was also ready to evacuate and treat around 1,000 patients from Gaza.

During the closing session on Sunday, Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin applauded Prabowo’s remarks and reiterated that Kuala Lumpur ‘absolutely welcomes and supports’ any proposal that would lead to an immediate and lasting ceasefire.

The Malaysian defence chief concluded his speech by suggesting that the annual Singapore Defence Forum invite a representative from Palestine to future events.

Thailand will apply to join the BRICS grouping later this month, the Thai government said on Tuesday.

The Thai government finalised its application plans at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. If approved, Thailand will become the first member of the grouping from Southeast Asia.

At a press conference after the meeting, a government spokesman said joining BRICS would strengthen Thailand’s leading role among developing countries.

The BRICS is made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

China and Russia led the bloc’s expansion in January when the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Ethiopia and Egypt joined.