New Delhi
9 February 2010
The plan of the US and its NATO allies to wean away Taliban elements and
reintegrate them into Afghanistan's governing structure has met with scepticism from
Iran, which has questioned the wisdom of making a distinction between good and bad
Taliban.
In remarks which showed convergence with India's position, Iran's Ambassador to India
Seyed Mehdi Nabizadeh said the differentiation is superfluous and facile. "There is no
such thing as good or bad Taliban. Taliban is Taliban," he told a press conference here
on Tuesday.
Russia shares the same perspective. Russian Ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin
maintains that a "good Taliban" is an oxymoron. "Can a Nazi be good? Can a fascist be
good?" Mr Kadakin wondered aloud during a recent media interaction.
The similarity of opinion among India, Iran and Russia -- on the issue of addressing the
Afghanistan problem -- has reignited discussion in political and professional circles
about whether the three countries can coordinate their actions for the "day after" of the
US and NATO troops' exit.
With Pakistan refusing overland transit route for movement of goods to Afghanistan,
India would need the strategic assistance of Iran and Russia to sustain its presence in
Afghanistan. India, Iran and Russia are already collaborating on the North-South
transport corridor. The Chabahar port in Iran and a transit route from there to Afghanistan
is another example of cooperation between India and Iran.
The regional situation, including Afghanistan, was discussed during Foreign Secretary
Nirupama Rao's visit to Iran last week.
Noting that the "foreign forces" had failed to realise the aims of defeating the terrorists,
instilling security, and curbing the trade in narcotics, Mr Nabizadeh pitched for "a more
constructive role" for countries in the region or neighbouring Afghanistan.
On the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, Mr Nabizadeh said Iran had kept the doors open
for India to join the project. "Opportunity has been given but it cannot be indefinite. There
has to be some limit to that," he noted.
Iran shares a long border with Afghanistan and has strong cultural and economic links.
Russia, which has geostrategic leverages, is willing to work on internationally-funded
economic projects in Afghanistan. Secretary of Russia's Security Council Nikolai
Patrushev has said his country is also ready to train Afghan military and police
personnel.
The January 28 London Conference endorsed the idea of reintegrating Taliban into
Afghan civil society, provided they recognise the Afghan Constitution, renounce armed
struggle and sever ties with the Al-Qaeda. The conference also considered increasing
the role of Afghanistan's neighbours in stabilising the situation in the country.
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