Threes not enough

Now,as the US prepares to end its combat role and finds it difficult to reconcile differences with Pakistan,Washington is urging Delhi to take greater responsibility for securing Afghanistan. America is not the only one disenchanted with Pakistans negative role. Concerned that the Taliban might return to power in Kabul with Rawalpindis support and destabilise the region,Beijing has recently inducted Afghanistan into the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as an observer. China,Pakistans all-weather friend,has also announced plans to build a bilateral strategic partnership with Kabul.

While Rawalpindis dreams of dominating Afghanistan after the US withdrawal are turning sour,India has no reason to delight in Pakistans growing isolation. Instead India must focus on making the most of the current unprecedented alignment of its own interests in Afghanistan with those of the international community. Delhi must begin to translate the provisions of its bilateral strategic partnership agreement with Kabul through expanded military training,supply of defence equipment and financial support to the armed forces. Indias new consultations with the US must be followed by similar talks on regional security with China,Russia and others. Above all,India must renew its offer to begin a dialogue with Pakistan on Afghanistan and propose a framework for trilateral economic cooperation. That Pakistan has been reluctant to engage India on Afghanistan in the past should not stop Delhi from a fresh diplomatic initiative. Geography,after all,makes Pakistan central to the future of Afghanistan.