India Must Firmly Insist on Removal of Pakistan From Afghan Talks
America’s diplomacy is now single mindedly pursuing just one goal, that is somehow pull out US troops from Afghanistan. Nearly 20 years after the United States entered Afghanistan with a mock multi-nation coalition to throw out the Taliban in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks, Donald Trump is frantically trying to appease the same terrorist outfit and begging them to the negotiating table. Trump somehow wants a framework for peace in the war-ravaged country that would enable him to pull out US troops.
Through this appeasement laden move the US is conceding too much space to the Taliban, thus providing the terrorist outfit a commanding position to shape Afghanistan’s future.
The urgency on Washington’s part stems from Trump’s electoral promise of bringing US troops home by ending America’s longest war—a boost to his leadership credentials before he prepares to seek a second term in 2020.
Interestingly, the American move has been endorsed by China and Russia. However this cannot be acceptable to India because it undermines the position of the ruling Afghanistan Government which has done so much to restore peace in the Country. It also has very friendly relations with India.
In addition what is making India really angry is the effort being made to bring Pakistan firmly back in the Afghan game. Trump and his administration must realize that unlike earlier days, India will not accept such nonsense and will execute its own plan with respect to Afghanistan.
So far, the Americans were holding Pakistan responsible for much of the instability and violence in Afghanistan; as a result, it was relegated to the margins. But now a blind America in its foolishness is believing in Pakistan’s ability to deliver the Taliban to the talks-table. Thus the US welcomed Pakistan to a recent four-party consultation process that seeks to end the protracted war, with the Taliban in a menacing ascendancy.
“China, Russia and the US welcomes Pakistan joining the consultation and believe Pakistan can play an important role in facilitating peace in Afghanistan,” a US statement said. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan is due to travel to Washington soon to hold talks with Trump on Afghanistan’s future and ways to strengthen US-Pakistan ties.
But many are questioning the unseemly haste in trying to patch up a deal with the Taliban, to ensure that the US forces do not withdraw from Afghanistan with a bloodied nose.
However Afghans have got a taste for an open and democratic society and with Indian help will resist the Taliban if they try to force themselves in.
