Department of Humanities and Social Sciences
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://localhost:4000/handle/123456789/1926
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Item China-Taliban security ties: a reimagining of South Asia's security discourse(Global and National Security Institute, 2025-06) Ramachandran, VeenaThis article examines how China constructs a distinct security discourse on terrorism through its engagement with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Moving beyond traditional materialist interpretations of security, the study draws on critical security studies to explore how China uses language, representation, and institutional practices to frame terrorism and project itself as a regional stabilizer. The Taliban’s return to power in 2021 has prompted China to expand its strategic presence in South Asia, particularly through economic diplomacy, intelligence cooperation, and regional multilateral and minilateral forums. Through qualitative discourse analysis of Chinese official statements, white papers, SCO documents, and state media narratives, this research identifies how China positions the Taliban as a manageable actor and redefines terrorism in ways that serve its domestic and regional interests. The article argues that this discursive framing directly contests India’s traditional dominance over regional counterterrorism narratives and contributes to an emerging shift in South Asia’s security architecture. By focusing on China’s security discourse, the article offers a fresh lens for understanding the politics of counterterrorism in South Asia and the broader implications of discursive power in shaping regional order.Item Taliban: The Story of the Afghan Warlords(SSOAR, 2023) Ramachandran, VeenaTaliban: the story of the Afghan warlords" is a comprehensive examination of the rise of the Taliban movement in Afghanistan and the impact it has had on the country and the region. The book, written by Ahmed Rashid, offers a thorough explanation of the historical, political, and cultural causes that contributed to the development of the Taliban and the events that occurred after its ascent to power. The book acquired recognition after the 9/11 attacks. The significance of this book may be appreciated from a Guardian article that claims Tony Blair's plans for Afghanistan after the Taliban were greatly inspired by it. Alastair Campbell, Downing Street Director of Communications and Strategy, and Anji Hunter, Personal Assistant to the Prime Minister, were also counselled to read before planning an expedition in Afghanistan.Item China’s afghan odyssey: from war to prosperity in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan(World Scientific, 2024) Ramachandran, VeenaFollowing the Taliban’s ascension to power, the Afghan government expresses a keen interest in affiliating with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The prospective inclusion of Afghanistan in the BRI holds the promise of a profound impact on the Afghan economy, security dynamics, and overall stability. Concurrently, such an association can advance Beijing’s strategic interests within its domestic sphere and the broader regional context. Within the intricate geopolitical milieu of Afghanistan, characterized by ongoing legitimacy concerns, China’s escalating engagement assumes paramount importance, bearing substantial consequences for both Afghanistan and Beijing. This paper examines China’s investment and aid strategies in Afghanistan pre- and post-Taliban ascension to power in 2021. Additionally, it delves into the identification and analysis of the pivotal land transport network in Afghanistan, particularly in the context of its potential integration with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and participation in the BRI, assessing the consequential advantages thereof. Furthermore, it scrutinizes the dynamic diplomatic and security relations between China and Afghanistan, with a focus on safeguarding China’s strategic assets in the region. The authors utilize qualitative research, incorporating primary and secondary data from government documents, official speeches, interviews with experts, and various research works. The study concludes that China has increased investments in Taliban-led Afghanistan, confident that Afghanistan’s participation in BRI could reshape its economy, strengthen Beijing’s strategic position in minerals and energy, and considerably improve Afghanistan’s security environment. The research provides valuable insights for policy debates and international efforts to promote stability and long-term growth in a war-torn nation.