Afghanistan seeks bigger Indian presence in war-torn nation

Yusuf

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NEW DELHI: Afghanistan will make a concerted push for India to have a bigger presence in that country when Afghan president Hamid Karzai comes here on a state visit here next week.

Although India and Afghanistan will sign four memorandum of understandings (MoUs) on mining, fertilizers, youth affairs and small development projects the core message that Karzai will emphasize upon the Indian leadership is that Kabul cannot be allowed to sink into chaos after the US leaves in 2014, said Shaida Mohammed Abdali, the Afghan envoy in India, briefing reporters ahead of the visit. This would mean a greater role for India in the training of Afghan security forces, including police.

Karzai will begin his trip from Mumbai where he will meet industry leaders, and push for investment in a nation that is beset with security challenges. Fears abound that Taliban may return to Kabul which might jeopardize investments in that country. Abdali said the Afghan government keeps India fully briefed on the peace talks with the Taliban. "There is strong attention to the strategic aspects of the relationship," he said. Ultimately, the political reconciliation process would have to involve Pakistan, which retains close ties with the Taliban.

Describing the backdrop of Karzai's visit as "critical", Abdali said Afghanistan did not count India as part of the international community but much more than that. "India did not come in 2001 and will not leave in 2014," Abdali said. Karzai will deliver the annual Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad annual lecture on November 11.

PM Manmohan Singh and Karzai will hold intensive talks on bilateral and regional security situation on November 12 here. India's interests would be on security to Indian interests and projects. Indicating that the two sides will also explore ways to step up Indian training for Afghan national security forces during the visit, Abdali said, "India has committed itself to strengthening security of Afghanistan."

He also noted that there were "still pockets of insurgent groups and sanctuaries of terror" in his country and stressed the need for intensifying international and regional cooperation in combating terrorism. Other reports say Taliban is increasing its footprint in Afghanistan, and the country may plunge into chaos after 2014.

"We need to cooperate against combating terrorism. We don't have a satisfactory situation so far," Abdali said. "India is focusing on life-changing initiatives for Afghanistan and the region," he added.

Afghanistan seeks bigger Indian presence in war-torn nation - The Times of India on Mobile
 

blank_quest

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US is not going anywhere~ it will still need Afghanistan as much as Pakistan. Its a strategic melt pot of Asia.US will 'AID' through liaison in 'institutional' or 'civil' organizational forms like WB and UNDP. Exit is just to end Military and NATO presence and not the 'Diplomatic' and 'Civilian' Channels.
 
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Yusuf

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I have a feeling India will get sucked into a more pro active defence role in Astan. There are two reasons for it. First is the obvious Talibam threat which has huge national security bearing on us and the second is the huge investments we have made and the atural resources of Astan that we are in the lead to tap.

All boils down to what will happen to Pakistan and back to the same question. How is Pak best dealt with? Break it down?
 

datguy79

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We should give afghans our migs.
The US is getting us some Super Taconos to begin with. I would rather we focus on helicopters for now and get jets (for example, Tejas) 10-15 years down the line when the country is hopefully, rolling in mineral wealth. That is assuming India can fulfill its own demand by then.
 

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