Kabul corrective

It has for long been seen as greatly symbolic that Indias assistance to Afghanistan includes a commitment to build its parliament building in Kabul. Ever since the Taliban were swept out of power in the American-led invasion after September 2001,India has had a unique footprint in Afghanistan. In rebuilding its traditionally warm relations with Kabul,New Delhi has concentrated on delivering on transport and social infrastructures,assisting in road-building and power generation and schools and hospitals,delivering food,training personnel. Its won goodwill among Afghans,and it also heeded the limitations placed by geography on Indias role. Its therefore understandable that in raising Indo-Afghan ties to a strategic partnership during his Kabul visit this week,Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was keen to emphasise these ties were not targeted at any other state.

Nonetheless,the move signals a reversal of the impression of drift that had set in since the terrorist attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul three years ago. Conscious of the heightened risk to Indian installations,India had seemed to be reducing its footprint in Afghanistan. Now less than a fortnight after the killing of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan has returned all stakeholders to the drawing board,the prime minister has asserted Indias intent to stay the course on its earlier commitments,and to supplement them with other security measures to remain on the curve in the new situation. Its significant that this outreach seeks to embrace Pakistan in its sweep Dr Singh and Afghan President Hamid Karzais joint statement speaks of promoting regional integration.

Theres,however,some ambiguity about the Indian stand on Karzais plan on reconciliation efforts with the Taliban. In his comments,the prime minister appeared to welcome Karzais efforts,but the nuance was telling. He emphasised Afghanistans right to do so without outside influence. But in coming months the kind of benchmarks Karzai places for any power-sharing with the Taliban should be crucial in determining the acceptability of the move.