India-Afghanistan nexus
By Nauman Asghar
India has nurtured its ambitions of becoming a
regional power and to assert its dominance it has continued
interfering in internal affairs of regional countries. Such
arbitrary interference combined with its boundary disputes has
failed India to play its role in promotion of regional peace and
prosperity. In today's world, no country with sane leadership will
like to have turbulent relationship with its neighbouring countries
but India's unrealistic foreign policy goals have raised serious
concerns regarding its intentions. The undeniable reality is that
India's neighbours have been reluctant to concede to it the status
of a regional hegemon. The growing India-Afghanistan nexus in post
9/11 scenario has serious geo-strategic implications for the region
in general and Pakistan in particular.
In the wake of independence in 1947, the problematic nature of
Pakistan's relationship with Afghanistan helped development of
closer Indo-Afghan ties under the governments of Zahir Shah and
Sardar Daud. The successive Afghan governments enjoyed the support
of Delhi until the Taliban rose to power. India was also among the
countries that recognized Tarakki government in Afghanistan in 1978
without any demur. India did never recognize Taliban government and
its consulates in Jalalabad and Kandhar were closed down. In this
way the relations between two countries came under strain.
During this period India continued supporting the anti-Taliban
resistance, the northern Alliance, comprised mostly of Tajiks and
non-Pashtun groups. It was with the overthrow of Taliban regime that
India started its efforts to establish a sphere-of-influence in
Pakistan's backyard and exploit its stronghold in Afghan
administration to assist subversive elements in Pakistan aimed at
destabilizing the state. Moreover Afghanistan provides a land route
for transmission of oil and gas pipelines from Central Asia to
India. The Central Asian Republics also provide market to Indian
goods by using Afghanistan as a gateway. India has also established
its military base in Tajikistan to bolster its designs of
encirclement of Pakistan.
The Nation : May 31, 2009 |
