Tuesday, January 24, 2012

India’s concern over development in Afghanistan

US backed peace talks with ousted and out-lawed Taliban, who represent the dark forces of terrorism, are a matter of serious concern for India. It is not surprising if we look back at the development in Afghanistan when the Taliban were nursed and nurtured by the US for driving Russian troops out of the country 70s. Finally, Russians troops were pulled out of Afghanistan and Taliban emerged at the centre stage of power there. Ultimately, Taliban also turned the US that resulted in the tragedy of 9/11. After 9/11, the US had to declare unilateral war against Taliban in Afghanistan and throw them out of power and the country. But it failed to wipe out the last vestiges of Taliban.
Taliban had taken strong root in Afghanistan mainly because of the support they enjoyed from the US. When the US finally failed to finish Taliban in Afghanistan and they started resurfacing with doubly force, it is offering them the olive branch. It is only inviting bigger danger to peace and security in the region. US must not forget that Taliban are like serpents. They bite first who offer them milk their favourite drink.
If the US backed peace talks with Taliban get success, the phase of terrorism not only in Afghanistan but also in the entire region would resurface. India is rightly concerned over the development in Afghanistan and has asked the US to take cautious approach in dealing with Taliban. India and the US are the champions of democracy. So, they are natural allies. They have also close friendship and both want development, peace and stability in Afghanistan.
At the cost of human lives and economy, India has undertaken a massive exercise for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. With the resurfacing of Taliban openly through the US-backed peace talks there, India will be greatly concerned over the increase of terror activities in the region. India’s interest in Afghanistan as a friendly neighbour will be hurt with the rise of Taliban again in Afghanistan.
US as a friend of India must not back any talk of peace with Taliban in Afghanistan. The purpose of establishing peace can not be achieved with the inclusion of the party, which stands discredited. It is certainly going to be a futile exercise. Taliban are the enemy of peace, harmony and amity. Any talk of peace with them will be treated as the US defeat.
US must stand firm in the interest of peace, stability, democracy and development. Any leverage to Taliban will destroy all the efforts to reconstruct Afghanistan. Though India also believes that finally the lasting peace lies in political settlement, the time is not ripe for starting talks with Taliban. On account of the geo-strategic importance of Afghanistan, India would not approve of any talks with dark forces of terrorism that pose security threat to it. US must take serious note of India’s concern over development in Afghanistan. India's total assistance totaling to Afghanistan so far has been over USD 2 billion, which has been guided by the priorities of the Afghan government and people.

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