India’s role crucial in the US-Afghanistan policy even as Pakistan put on check
lifting suspense on his Afghanistan Policy, US President Donald Trump made it clear that he will maintain continuity with regard to the US soldiers’ role in war-torn Afghanistan. Besides, Trump, in a more harsher word than his predecessors, rebuked Pakistan for its role in promoting terrorism in the South Asian region and not doing enough to dismantle safe havens for the terrorists that are constantly destablising the US-led Nato forces’ hard work in Afghanistan. While ruling out a hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan, Trump made it clear that he wants Pakistan to do more to eliminate terror safe havens. He said that Pakistan is housing the same terrorists that the US is fighting. The US President, at the same time appreciated India’s important contributions to stability in Afghanistan and sought enhanced role. However, given India’s own position, it is unlikely that New Delhi will send its solders to Kabul to fight the Taliban and the Haqqani Network militants alongside the US soldiers. India has once burnt its hands in Sri lanka by sending Indian Peace Keeping Force. However, with Afghanistan India remained its close partner and has helped it in several ways, which includes doing developmental work such as building roads, electric lines, dams and Parliament building. India pledged an additional one billion dollar economic aid to ‘Brother’ Afghanistan last year after the completion of the Salma Dam that was constructed with a cost of nearly $300 million.
India’s military engagement with Afghanistan has been limited to training of its soldiers in Indian military academies, treating its soldiers in its military hospitals, supply of four military helicopters to help Afghanistan fight terrorism. It is also a known fact that Afghanistan has been constantly handing out India a wish list of offensive military hardware, ammunition and armoured vehicles which is under consideration of the Indian government. India is also planning to increase its military engagement in several other ways. This includes providing assistance to Afghanistan for the repairs of its grounded aircrafts and arranging for long term supply of military spares. Afghanistan has been long struggling for the repairs of its Soviet era aircrafts and choppers due to the sanctions against Russia. Coming back to US and Afghanistan, there is a lot more to be done by the White House in order to stabilise Afghanistan. First, there has to be substantial cut to all aid to Pakistan which has been using its funds to support the same militant groups that are tormenting the US and Afghan Security Forces. Second, the US also needs to revoke the Major non-Nato ally given to Pakistan in 2004 by the then President George Bush hoping that this will motivate Islamabad help the US fight Al Qaeda and Taliban. And third, Pakistan has to be named and shamed for sponsoring terrorism. Possibly imposing sanctions on Pakistan to some extent may help even though Islamabad has strong support from all weather friend China.