tushar
FULL MEMBER
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2011
- Messages
- 123
- Reaction score
- 0
New Delhi/Kabul, May 12: India and Afghanistan are likely to discuss and assess the impact of Al Qaeda chief.
Osama Bin laden's death during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's two-day visit to Kabul from Thursday.
"Although it is too early to evaluate the implications of Bin laden's killing, India is keen to hear what President Hamid Karzai has to say about it," government sources in Delhi said
India believes the killing of bin Laden is likely to have very little or no impact on the functioning of the Taliban, the Haqqani group, the Quetta Shura and the Peshawar Shura operating from safe havens in Pakistan.
"India does not believe that these groups will automatically stand diminished because of what happened to Osama," the sources said.
"These terror groups are as strong and virulent as ever," they added.
Pakistan's Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) has allegedly been using the Haqqani network to attack Indian interests in Afghanistan and to destabilize the Karzai government.
The ISI and the military have been backing terror groups to achieve strategic depth in Afghanistan.
Islamabad is yet to come to terms with its waning clout in Afghanistan. Recent polls suggest that India, which is the biggest regional donor and has given 1.5 billion dollars in aid for capacity building in Afghanistan, has gained substantial popularity.
Consequently, Indian interests have constantly come under attack in Afghanistan. In July 2008, a suicide attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul killed 60 persons, including the defence attach and an Indian Foreign Service officer.
The embassy was attacked again in October 2009 in which 17 people were killed.
In February 2010, an Indian medical team was attacked in which two army doctors lost their lives.
"India and Afghanistan are on the same page as far as fighting cross border terrorism is concerned and both believe that sanctuaries provided to terrorists by Pakistan have to be defeated," sources said.
During his visit to Kabul, Dr. Singh could also seek a reassurance on reconciliation of the Taliban and Kabul's adherence to red lines agreed during 2010 London Conference.
Red lines categorically highlight that preconditions to the reconciliation process should be Afghan led and owned and only those elements should be included who abjure violence and adopt the Afghan Constitution.
Meanwhile, India fears that Pakistan is working overtime to penetrate fringe elements like the Haqqanis and the Hekmatyars.
Official sources told ANI that Kabul has assured New Delhi that red lines will be adhered to.
Security and counter terrorism will be the key issues in focus.
India plans to spread its capacity-building program to two third of the total 34 provinces of the country.
During his visit, Dr. Singh is also expected to make major announcements of enhancing developmental cooperation.
The issue of US troops draw down is also likely to figure in the discussions.
Dr. Singh is visiting Kabul after 2005. Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi then accompanied him.
Meanwhile, President karzai has visited India more than ten times.
Dr. Singh is also expected to address the parliament session on Friday. By Naveen Kapoor
India Afghanistan to exchange notes on Osama death impact
Osama Bin laden's death during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's two-day visit to Kabul from Thursday.
"Although it is too early to evaluate the implications of Bin laden's killing, India is keen to hear what President Hamid Karzai has to say about it," government sources in Delhi said
India believes the killing of bin Laden is likely to have very little or no impact on the functioning of the Taliban, the Haqqani group, the Quetta Shura and the Peshawar Shura operating from safe havens in Pakistan.
"India does not believe that these groups will automatically stand diminished because of what happened to Osama," the sources said.
"These terror groups are as strong and virulent as ever," they added.
Pakistan's Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) has allegedly been using the Haqqani network to attack Indian interests in Afghanistan and to destabilize the Karzai government.
The ISI and the military have been backing terror groups to achieve strategic depth in Afghanistan.
Islamabad is yet to come to terms with its waning clout in Afghanistan. Recent polls suggest that India, which is the biggest regional donor and has given 1.5 billion dollars in aid for capacity building in Afghanistan, has gained substantial popularity.
Consequently, Indian interests have constantly come under attack in Afghanistan. In July 2008, a suicide attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul killed 60 persons, including the defence attach and an Indian Foreign Service officer.
The embassy was attacked again in October 2009 in which 17 people were killed.
In February 2010, an Indian medical team was attacked in which two army doctors lost their lives.
"India and Afghanistan are on the same page as far as fighting cross border terrorism is concerned and both believe that sanctuaries provided to terrorists by Pakistan have to be defeated," sources said.
During his visit to Kabul, Dr. Singh could also seek a reassurance on reconciliation of the Taliban and Kabul's adherence to red lines agreed during 2010 London Conference.
Red lines categorically highlight that preconditions to the reconciliation process should be Afghan led and owned and only those elements should be included who abjure violence and adopt the Afghan Constitution.
Meanwhile, India fears that Pakistan is working overtime to penetrate fringe elements like the Haqqanis and the Hekmatyars.
Official sources told ANI that Kabul has assured New Delhi that red lines will be adhered to.
Security and counter terrorism will be the key issues in focus.
India plans to spread its capacity-building program to two third of the total 34 provinces of the country.
During his visit, Dr. Singh is also expected to make major announcements of enhancing developmental cooperation.
The issue of US troops draw down is also likely to figure in the discussions.
Dr. Singh is visiting Kabul after 2005. Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi then accompanied him.
Meanwhile, President karzai has visited India more than ten times.
Dr. Singh is also expected to address the parliament session on Friday. By Naveen Kapoor
India Afghanistan to exchange notes on Osama death impact
