The proposed withdrawal of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from Afghanistan in 2014 is fraught with major security implications for the countries of the region. Examine in light of the fact that India is faced with a plethora of challenges and needs to safeguard its own strategic interests.

Theme

T113 Pakistan & Afghanistan: terror, distrust, soft power, surgical strikes, ISAF withdrawal

What UPSC asks in this theme

UPSC asks whether soft power (sports, culture) can build goodwill despite terror and distrust, the strategic impact of hot pursuit and surgical strikes, and security implications of ISAF's withdrawal from Afghanistan.

What to cover

• Trust deficit: cross-border terrorism, Kashmir, Indus Waters
• Soft power tools and their limits
• Surgical strikes (2016), Balakot (2019): deterrence and escalation
• Afghanistan: ISAF/US withdrawal, Taliban return, India's engagement and interests

Writing the answer

• Strategic analysis: interests, options, risks
• Cross-link with internal security themes

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 3 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.