Delhi looking to revive India-Iran-Russia axis to influence Afghanistan

[Neo]

Delhi looking to revive India-Iran-Russia axis to influence Afghanistan

* Singh set to meet Putin, convince Moscow to engage more in Kabul

By Iftikhar Gilani

NEW DELHI: India is keen to revive an axis with Russia and Iran to ensure security and protection of its interests in war-torn Afghanistan. The issue is set to figure during talks between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his visiting Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Friday. So far Moscow has resisted engagement in any adventure in Afghanistan other than providing supply lines to NATO forces.

A senior Russian diplomat recently rejected the idea of any Russian involvement, saying, “They have burned their hands enough in Afghanistan.” But India is confident that Iran and Central Asian Republics (CAR) would convince Moscow to keep tabs on a resurgent Taliban and Pakistani influence in the region. Indian officials have admitted that Afghanistan is turning into a battleground for a proxy war between India and Pakistan.

Besides Afghanistan, India and Russia are expected to sign a slew of agreements, including an umbrella civil nuclear pact and some supplementary agreements regarding fixing the cost of the refurbished aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov at $2.35 billion.

India is, however, more concerned with securing its $1 billion dollar investment in Afghanistan. With US and NATO forces getting ready to withdraw as early as next year, New Delhi believes that President Hamid Karzai may not last long in the wake of a resurgent Taliban.

“Unless India prepares for the time when the Americans pull out, we will not be in a position to face the political crisis that it will trigger,” former foreign secretary Lalit Mansingh told a seminar on Afghanistan. He suggested a revival of the India-Russia-Iran axis which supported the Northern Alliance and played an important role in dislodging the Taliban.
Retired diplomat Rajiv Sikri believes that while the India-Russia-Iran grouping must be revived, China should not be made a part of it.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-3-2010_pg7_44

[Neo]

Another desperate attempt by India to secure its position in Afghanistan now the Nato/USA have marginalised her over Pakistan. The big question is wether Russia is ready to get involved in Afghanistan once again?

[Failed State]

It looks like India will try by hook or by crook to squeeze Pakistan strategically out of Afghanistan. However it's not possible, just look at the past 10 years. Hardly a smidgeon of Pakistani presence in the nation yet Islamabad wields significant power and influence within the country, so much so that the U.S. has no choice but to include Pakistan in its military campaign. Otherwise I believe ISAF would not be where they are today without Pakistani support.

[Selma Shirazi]

India will be history in Afghanistan soon, better accept it. :)

[xebex]

Originally Posted by Neo

Another desperate attempt by India to secure its position in Afghanistan now the Nato/USA have marginalised her over Pakistan. The big question is wether Russia is ready to get involved in Afghanistan once again?

The fact of the matter is, Karzai already declined Pakistans involvement in training Afghanistan's security personnal, which was, i assume, cheered by GoI. And there were some movement and talkings about getting India getting involved to train their security personnals. It seems they feel more comfortable with India than Pakistan in doing that job, IMHO. Moreover, India is already engaged in many areas of new civilian government to build it from the ashes. So Indian influence in Afghanistan is there to stay no matter what NATO/USA do.

PS: I highly doubt Russia will engage in AF, but Iran probably will.

[xebex]

Originally Posted by Selma Shirazi

India will be history in Afghanistan soon, better accept it. :)

India will make history in Afghanistan would be a better sentance.:p