New Delhi: In India, the focus is on Pakistan-based terror and how to tackle it. Sources say India and Afghanistan could be working on a joint security strategy vis-a-vis Pakistan for the first time.
There's speculation that Pranab Mukhjee's visit to Kabul sometime this week is linked to such a plan. It's been reported in the past that President Karzai is keen on India sending troops to his country.
India has until now refused to send any troops but maybe open to such a move if it could put pressure on Pakistan to deal with the Mumbai attack conspirators.
“This is our internal matter and is being investigated by the ATS how can PAK be concerned about that,” says Defence Minister, A K Anthony
Pranab Mukherjee's talks are also expected to focus on providing better security for Indians engaged in reconstruction projects in Afghanistan.
His visit could also see the inauguration of the Zaranj-Delaram highway funded and built by India.
Meanwhile, former deputy director of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis Uday Bhaskar said that Pranab's visit will help in developing common strategy on security issues.
"India has strong security concers with Afghanistan especially after the Indian Embassy bombing in Kabul last year. Pranab's visit should be seen as consultation about common security concern with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai. It is too early to talk about formal alliance but India would be able to train Afghan security personnel. With Obama as the new American President there will be realignment in the policy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan. One diplomatic challenge will be to assure Pakistani people that it is not against the Zardari regime in Pakistan," Bhaskar said.
Comments
0 comment