New Delhi fears Pak-backed outfit may target J&K with US arms
The rapidly changing situation in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover is a “challenge” for India and the Government has been forced to rethink its strategy, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday.
Reflecting these concerns, senior commanders, including the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and the three Services chiefs, are likely to review the situation in the coming week.
Apprehensions are that the Taliban fighters, aided and abetted by Pakistan, and equipped with the US weapons seized by them may foment trouble in Jammu & Kashmir.
In a related development, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday spoke to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and discussed the latest developments in Afghanistan.
“Spoke to US Secretary of State Blinken. Continued our discussions on Afghanistan. Also exchanged views on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC),” Jaishankar tweeted.
Expressing the concerns of the security establishment to the Defence top brass, Rajnath said the changing equation in Afghanistan is a challenge. “The country is now rethinking its strategy,” he said while addressing the prestigious Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.
He also said the recent developments resulted in India forging an alliance with the countries forming the Quad. It comprises the US, India, Japan and Australia.
