Is Afghanistan becoming a battle-ground for India & Pakistan’s expanding spheres of influence?
Absolutely not, we are not in competition for Afghan goodwill. India has been an old friend of Afghanistan and we have been able to nurture that friendship in the years since 2001. Foreign minister S M Krishna has talked of the need for a “political settlement” with the Taliban. Does India believe that the “moderate” Taliban can be won around? Mr Krishna did not speak of any political settlement with the Taliban, but about the need for a political settlement with those that did not share its aims. There is no doubt, indeed, that a political settlement is desirable. The UN Security Council has stated clearly that reconciliation should be supported as an Afghan-led process, not one directed or induced from outside, within the Afghan Constitution and should fully respect its Resolution 1267. This is also very much India’s position. You’ve been witness to Afghanistan’s second presidential elections… Your reaction? It’s a sad thing that at the end of eight years after the ouster of the Tali
