India Afghanistan Meet

India is fast emerging as a leading player in world politics. India has great political ambition in its region and wants to forge a constructive partnership with to move to a period of peace and development of the region.  Afghanistan for the last few years has been embroiled in the war between the terrorists of Al Qaeda and Taliban and the US security forces. As the US tries to take control from the terrorists efforts are being stepped up to stabilize the region. Funds for the development and economic growth of Afghanistan flowed in from all over the world. India too, pumped up billions of dollars. India has been active in setting up government infrastructure in Afghanistan. India has helped set up schools, primary healthcare centres, post offices and banks. India has also assisted the Afghan government by training afghan officials and providing them with the essential know how.

The strategic purpose of such a move has been India’s ambition to be a regional ring leader. This move will also achieve the long term goal of releasing Pakistan’s vice like grip in the country. Pakistan has been using Taliban and other terrorist outfits to wage its proxy war against India. Pakistan in its perpetual search for strategic advantage over India has secretly controlled the Afghan Taliban through the ISI. When India stretched its influence in Afghanistan through the development projects, Pakistan did all it could to thwart India. India one of the largest investors in Afghanistan was not invited to Euro-Afghan summit in Kabul. India has more Muslims than Pakistan, but it is not a part of the organization of Islamic conference in Kabul. Both the exclusions were Pakistan’s doing.

President Hamid Karzai’s visit in India is a great step towards boosting the bilateral ties of the two countries.  India is anxious about the security of its nationals involved in various development projects in Afghanistan. President Hamid Karzai stated that all that can be done to stop terrorist attacks like the Feb 26 one is being done. He also said that the attacks were perpetuated by those who did not want to see a strong, independent Afghanistan. Dr Singh said that India was resolute and will continue its Pivotal role in developing human resource and public institutions in Afghanistan. Dr Singh and President Karzai lauded the Zaranj-Delaram road project, the Pul-e-Kumri to Kabul transmission line project and scholarship programmes which are benefitting the Afghan people.