India’s role as a major ally of President Hamid Karzai and its involvement in rebuilding Afghanistan makes it a natural target of the Taliban, al Qaeda.
Since 2002, India has pledged $750mn for the reconstruction of the war-ravaged nation
NEW DELHI: India’s role as a major ally of President Hamid Karzai and its involvement in rebuilding Afghanistan makes it a natural target of the Taliban, al Qaeda and every group opposed to the current regime in Kabul. Ever since the Taliban was thrown out of the war-ravaged capital, India’s presence and influence in Afghanistan has expanded.
During the period of Taliban control, India was completely out of the picture and Pakistan ruled the roost. In fact, the Taliban period was a triumph for Pakistan’s diplomacy. Its long time aim of gaining strategic depth in Afghanistan was realised.
Things have turned full circle for New Delhi in Afghanistan with the ouster of the Taliban. India has scored several brownie points because unlike the American and other NATO powers, the mission in Kabul is open to the public. Any Indian visitor in Afghanistan is struck by the warmth the ordinary Afghan has for India.
This openness of the Indian mission, unfortunately also makes it an easy target for terror attacks. Indian officials suspect a Pakistan hand in Monday’s suicide attack, simply because the military establishment in Islamabad is wary of India’s presence and believe that Islamabad’s heavy investments in Afghanistan is now unravelling. This is why rouge elements in the Pakistan military may have aided the Taliban attack, because they regard both New Delhi and Hamid Karzai as their enemy.
New Delhi’s involvement in Afghanistan is far more tangible than the Americans’ or NATO contribution. It is appreciated more because aid is non-military and touches the lives of ordinary Afghans. India has pledged roughly US$750 million to Afghanistan’s reconstruction since 2002 and is the fifth-largest bilateral donor in Afghanistan. India is also constructing the 218-km Zaranj-Delaram road, the Afghan parliament and a power transmission line from Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul and a sub power station to supply electricity to the power-starved capital.
It is also reconstructing the Salma Dam in Herat at a cost of over $109 million and building a telephone exchange.
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