It may be a while before India and Afghanistan launch any major initiative on the security front, given that US and other NATO countries have apportioned the task among themselves. But the subject did get attention during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit, with the National Security Advisors meeting on the sidelines today to discuss the security situation in the region.The Prime Minister, whose two-day visit to Afghanistan concluded today, also met Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s high-profile Economic Advisor Ishaq Nadari this morning.Known to be a friend of noted economists Amartya Sen and Jagdish Bhagwati, there was a lot in common he found with Singh. The PM, accompanied by External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, later participated in the foundation-laying ceremony for a new Parliament building that India is helping Afghanistan construct.India, which had been restricting itself to providing developmental assistance to Afghanistan, is gradually making a foray into the security field. While the Prime Minister maintained today that India was not going to thrust cooperation on any “unwilling’’ country, sources said, there was concern in Afghanistan on the shape western security assistance may take after the Bonn process concludes.The spurt in violence in Afghanistan, particularly along the borders with Pakistan, also came up during discussions between National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan and his Afghan counterpart Zalmay Rasool. The common problems resulting from cross-border terrorism, the Indian view to strengthen Afghanistan’s security structure and its readiness to provide assistance were also touched upon.Kabul was less interested on Indian cooperation in rebuilding the Afghanistan National Army, being undertaken by the US, but was open to Indian help in strengthening its police force.The foundation stone for the new Parliament building was laid by King Zahir Khan. India has committed $25 million to the project. The premises will have five buildings including a library. Both the Meshrano Jirga (Upper House) and Wolesi Jirga (Lower House) will be located there.Praising the Indian effort, Karzai said the Indian Parliament has acted as the “true representative’’ of the will of people. “We Afghans hope that our Parliament will also move on the same path and will play its role as the guardian and guarantor of democracy and the republic.”
