New Delhi
19 March 2010
India will explore viewpoints of other countries such as Russia and Iran and
seek to re-engage them, as attempts are being made to change the game in Afghanistan
and reinject Taliban in the power structure there.
India was in sub rosa touch with Russia and Iran prior to 2001 but sources here
acknowledged that New Delhi is seeking them out again, notwithstanding their different
concerns.
India and Iran see the role of US differently in Afghanistan but they share a common
concern about re-emergence of Taliban there. India would like the US to stay the course
in Afghanistan, but countries such as Iran want foreign forces to leave.
Sources noted that India and Russia are on the same page on the issue of terrorism
emanating from the Af-Pak region and on the need to combat the Taliban. It helps New
Delhi that Moscow does not make a distinction between good and bad Taliban.
Sources described India's relationship with Afghanistan as symbiotic, joined together as
they are by history and civilisation, and they reiterated India's commitment to continue
development projects across Afghanistan.
There is a realisation though that the future of Afghanistan will depend on a combination
of factors such as US strategy and the situation and attitude of Pakistan.
Sources noted that the test of India-US global strategic partnership will be in Afghanistan
but they maintained that the US has not asked India to scale down its presence in
Afghanistan.
The situation in Afghanistan is likely to figure prominently in discussions between
visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake
and External Affairs Ministry officials.
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