Pak main hurdle in India’s hegemonic ambitions
Tanvir Siddiqi
Comment
INDIA continues to blow hot and cold in dealing with Pakistan which is the only hurdle in its ambitions to act as the watch-dog in the region with its influence extending to Afghanistan where it has established a chain of consulates close to Pakistan border. India which remained aloof from the Afghan’s fight against the Soviet occupation forces, now wants a dominant role in Afghanistan not out of love for the good of the war-torn country but to counter Pakistan’s quest for having a government in Afghanistan which is not inimicl to it.
The Karzai government has excellent ties with New Delhi. All of this has been watched suspiciously by Pakistan, which is encircled by India and Afghanistan. India is supporting Pakistani Baloch separatists from Afghanistan. India is not only involved in Balochistan using Afghan soil but is also active along the Mekran coast near Gwadar port. Concrete evidence about the recovery of heavy weapons from South Waziristan has been provided to India by Pakistan.
Many observers have argued that Pakistan has a vital role in the region in general and in Afghanistan in particular. Pakistan has always desired a strong and stable. Afghanistan with friendly posture towards it, instead of hob-nobbing with India which never had any role in the welfare of the Afghan people. The neutral observers also point out that the India-Pakistan conflict over Kashmir must be resolved. Only then Pakistan can have friendly relations with its main rival. Pakistan’s interests in Afghanistan are broader. No war against the terrorists can be won without Pakistan’s active involvement, a fact recognised not only by the US but its European NATO allies. How can Pakistan be oblivious to the situation in Afghanistan, which is considered as almost its backyard?
Given that the West wants to withdraw from Afghanistan as soon as possible, India has to accept that Pakistan has certain kinds of political interests in the future of Afghanistan, particularly with respect to the future of the Pashtun people and their representation in any future government of Afghanistan. As opposed to it, India wants to make sure that the Pashtuns don’t dominate and other ethnic groups, including the minorities maintain primary.
Pakistan, however, opposed to giving India a say in Afghanistan, arguing that it is not an immediate neighbour. In view of the ground realities, India has already softened its stance. Regarding the involvement of the Taliban in a future political solution in Afghanistan, Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna now says that India is willing to “give it a try”. No wonder, trying might mean having the field to Pakistan alone and help establish durable peace in the war-torn country.
