New Delhi
26 April 2010
President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan on Monday briefed India about the
process towards reintegration of and reconciliation with elements of the Taliban but
whether he succeeded in enlisting New Delhi's unqualified support for it is not without
doubt. However, Mr Karzai will take satisfaction that India has thrown its weight behind
the government and people of Afghanistan at a crucial time in the war-torn country's
evolution into a democratic political order.
A peace Jirga (assembly) comprising tribal leaders is expected to meet on May 20 in
Kabul to try and forge a national consensus on talks with the Taliban for ending the
nearly a decade-long conflict. Mr Karzai said the Jirga will advise his government on
how to move forward on reintegration of and reconciliation with those elements of
Taliban and others who have accepted the Afghan Constitution and who are not part of
the Al-Qaeda or any terrorist network.
A negotiated settlement with Taliban is a prickly issue for India, which views them with
suspicion. But Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is understood to have conveyed to Mr
Karzai that India won't stand in the way of a national rebuilding process "led and owned
by the Afghan people", provided it is insulated from external influences -- a euphemism
for Pakistan. The joint statement issued after the talks reiterated that the process
"should be led by the people of Afghanistan in keeping with the principles of national
sovereignty, independence and non-interference in internal affairs."
India's concerns about reintegration of Taliban elements find an echo in a new report by
the Kabul-based Afghan Analysts Network, an independent research organisation, which
said the strategy of weaning away Taliban elements by offering them money is not
showing satisfactory results. It noted that many of the men who surrendered their arms
had rejoined the Taliban.
Dr Singh and Mr Karzai also discussed the issue of terrorism. Incidentally, Mr Karzai's
first visit to India after his re-election in 2009 came exactly two months to the day after
the February 26 terrorist strikes in Kabul which killed nine Indians. Mr Karzai assured
India that his government will take all possible measures for the security of Indians in
Afghanistan. He invited Dr Singh to visit Afghanistan, for which convenient dates are
being worked out.
The Prime Minister, who praised Mr Karzai for his courageous leadership in difficult
times, reaffirmed India's commitment to the reconstruction and development of
Afghanistan. "India is ready to augment its assistance for capacity building and for skill
and human resources development to help strengthen public institutions in Afghanistan,"
Dr Singh noted. India's assistance is focussed on projects that bring immediate benefit
to the people, such as the Zaranj-Delaram road, the Pul-e-Kumri to Kabul power
transmission line project, and scholarships.
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