US and UK consider asking India to train Afghan forces

[Ruag]

Britain and US consider asking India to train Afghan National Police

The United States and Britain are exploring ways to boost India’s role in Afghanistan, including a controversial proposal for it to train the Afghan National Police (ANP), The Times has learnt.

Richard Holbrooke, the US envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, was expected to discuss that and other ideas when he began a visit to India yesterday, his first in almost a year.

Robert Gates, the US Defence Secretary, also arrives in Delhi today to discuss issues including expanding co-operation in Afghanistan and boosting US arms sales to India.

The two visits follow a low-profile trip to Delhi last week by Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, the British “Af--pak” envoy, who discussed the ANP training proposal with officials.

The diplomatic activity reflects a growing desire on all three sides to boost co-operation on regional security, despite differences over Pakistan, a close US ally that is India’s arch enemy. India fiercely resisted being included in Mr Holbrooke’s formal brief last year, and rejected his attempts to raise the issue of Kashmir, which is claimed by India and Pakistan and seen by some as a root cause of regional instability.

Now, however, India appears to want to play a more active role in Afghanistan largely because it fears that Pakistan will engineer a Taleban takeover when foreign troops leave.

“We’ve spent quite a lot of time now talking with the Americans,” M. K. Narayanan, India’s National Security Adviser, told The Times. “We’re involved in infrastructure, we’re involved in building roads and electricity and we’re willing to do even more.”

India also wants to offset the growing influence of its newer rival, China, which is developing a huge copper mine south of Kabul and plans to build a railway across Afghanistan. The US hopes that India, which has already contributed more than $1 billion in aid to Afghanistan, can use its growing economic, political and military clout to act as a democratic bulwark in the region.

But any expansion of India’s influence in Afghanistan risks antagonising Pakistan, which accuses Delhi of using its consulates there to support separatist movements in Pakistan.

The US Embassy declined to give any details about Mr Holbrooke’s visit, or Mr Gates’s, but Mr Narayanan said that the Americans were exploring ways for India to contribute more in Afghanistan — possibly by training the 82,000-strong ANP, which Germany has been handling since 2002.

“We have the best institution for training the civilian police, and the paramilitary to some extent . . . if you want a civilian police with a little bit of strength to the elbow,” Mr Narayanan said.

Britain and US consider asking India to train Afghan National Police - Times Online

 

[RPK]

The Hindu : Front Page : We have no agenda in Afghanistan: India

NEW DELHI: India on Monday told the United States that it had no agenda in Afghanistan except seeing it emerge as a stable and peaceful country.

To this end, India would continue to work in Afghanistan on development projects but with no geo-political ambitions, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna told the visiting U.S. Special Envoy on Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, here.

Mr. Holbrooke was also told about India’s involvement in infrastructure building in Afghanistan.

The U.S. Special Envoy said he was looking forward to the international conference on Afghanistan, scheduled for January 28 in London, and expected a positive contribution from India.

He also informed Mr. Krishna of two preparatory meets scheduled in Turkey with India participating in one of them. Mr. Krishna is scheduled to attend the London meeting.

Mr. Holbrooke briefed the Minister on the steps taken by the U.S. in Afghanistan and the content of his talks in Islamabad and Kabul.

Sources in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Mr. Krishna indicated India’s keenness to see the situation stabilise in Afghanistan but professed disinterestedness on other issues of tactical military importance.

Emerging from the talks, Mr. Holbrooke said India was a “tremendously important participant in the search for peace and stability not only in south Asia but throughout the vast region that stretches from the Mediterranean to the Pacific.”

He reiterated the U.S.’ expectation of “more action” from Pakistan in routing the Taliban from its bases on the Afghan-Pakistan border despite being encouraged by its battle with the militants in the Swat Valley.

The main subject of his talks with the Pakistani leadership during his ongoing three-nation visit was the spread of the Taliban in the North West Frontier Province. Mr. Holbroke did not think Monday’s attack in Kabul was surprising “since they are desperate people.”

He said:

“They are ruthless and the people who are doing this will certainly not survive this attack nor will they succeed, but we can expect this sort of thing on a regular basis.

“That is what Taliban are. They are part of extremist groups operating in the border areas between Afghanistan and Pakistan and they do these desperate things all the time and India knows all this.”

 

[xebex]

“We have the best institution for training the civilian police, and the paramilitary to some extent . . . if you want a civilian police with a little bit of strength to the elbow,” Mr Narayanan said.

I disagree. Ironically we have the worst, under equpped, unfit police force in the world, atleast in Kerala. Probably one of the most under equipped compared to any of India's couterpart. Fireforce, state police, crime branch and forrest guards all of em sux; moreover, they arent coordinated. I would say let the IA train ANP if we are to train else dont do it.

we could train some IAS and IPS officers for Afghanistan as we are the best in that regard for sure. Also if we were to do something, we should bring these men to Inda rather than sending officals to Afghanistan.

 

[amarnath]

I disagree. Ironically we have the worst, under equpped, unfit police force in the world, atleast in Kerala. Probably one of the most under equipped compared to any of India's couterpart. Fireforce, state police, crime branch and forrest guards all of em sux; moreover, they arent coordinated. I would say let the IA train ANP if we are to train else dont do it.

I my self am from kerala, Kerala govt does not have enough funds to equip them, I live in chennai, come to chennai and see the police force

 

[toxic_pus]

I disagree. Ironically we have the worst, under equpped, unfit police force in the world, atleast in Kerala. Probably one of the most under equipped compared to any of India's couterpart. Fireforce, state police, crime branch and forrest guards all of em sux; moreover, they arent coordinated.

Very very very unfair.

That glory belongs to Kolkata Police, and Kolkata Police only. Why are you stealing our 'hard' earned glory? Shame on you.

 

[gogbot]

Very very very unfair.

That glory belongs to Kolkata Police, and Kolkata Police only. Why are you stealing our 'hard' earned glory? Shame on you.

Most southern states as far as i know have abysmal police institutions.

Under equipped, under paid, under trained.

I dont know how things are up north, but its depressing in the south.

Even in AP(one of the more richer states) the police are not up to the mark. The only change i have seen in over 20 years is the fact that INSAS and AK-47 are being more the common place as their weapons, Instead of Bolt action rifles.

 

[notsuperstitious]

While police need good equipment, policing is more than using equipment. Mumbai police, as you all saw during the mumbai attacks is very ill equipped, but they do a good job in policing. Mumbai remains the most overcrowded, most cosmopolitan, dirtiest city in India, but crime is relatively low and women move about at night too.

May be there's something to learn from them.

 

[ek_indian]

I disagree. Ironically we have the worst, under equpped, unfit police force in the world, atleast in Kerala. Probably one of the most under equipped compared to any of India's couterpart. Fireforce, state police, crime branch and forrest guards all of em sux; moreover, they arent coordinated. I would say let the IA train ANP if we are to train else dont do it.

Very very very unfair.

That glory belongs to Kolkata Police, and Kolkata Police only. Why are you stealing our 'hard' earned glory? Shame on you.

I dare to disagree. Welcome to Uttar Pradesh!!
A state without a police force (there are some guys wearing khaki but that's all about them).

 

[praveen]

Very very very unfair.

That glory belongs to Kolkata Police, and Kolkata Police only. Why are you stealing our 'hard' earned glory? Shame on you.

Bong sense of humour Huh

 

[Iggy]

May be US and UK asking Indian police to train Afghan forces how to take bribes

 

[Novice09]

Touchy movement : Punjab Police



Scottish Police

 

[remarker]

do you guys know where are you now

is this platform good for this types of talks

 

[gogbot]

May be US and UK asking Indian police to train Afghan forces how to take bribes

Not all police are corrupt dude,

while they don't do a good job as they could. You should not make them out to be villains.

In most cases the institutions are more to blame the the officers them selves

 

[navtrek]

India for strong Afghan Army

New Delhi, Jan 14 (IANS) The Indian Army chief General Deepak Kapoor Thursday said that though India was “not involved in active operations” in Afghanistan, it was willing to train Afghan officers to build a “strong” army, if the US and other forces choose the exit policy.
“We have an officer exchange programme with Afghanistan. Their officers come here and we train them to build a strong Afghan army so that they can protect their country, if the US and other forces choose the exit policy,” Kapoor told reporters here on the eve of the 62nd Army Day.

“We are not involved in active operations in Afghanistan. But it is an important country and largely affects the region. We want stability in the country and have been providing soft assistance like road and infrastructure development,” he said.

Kapoor said Indian instructors are also imparting training in English language.

It has been India’s position to not send troops to war-ravaged Afghanistan.

Read more: India for strong Afghan Army

 

[jha]

Very very very unfair.

That glory belongs to Kolkata Police, and Kolkata Police only. Why are you stealing our 'hard' earned glory? Shame on you.

whatever you guys say... bihar police wont let you win in atleast this area....
feel free to disagree