US sees India, China in constructive role in Afghanistan

[Vibs]

WASHINGTON: As the United States begins to draw down from Afghanistan, it expects both India and China to play constructive roles in the region, according to a senior administration official.

"obviously both countries recognize the enormous interest that they have in stability in the region and the ways that they would benefit from that," the official said in a conference call Monday in a look ahead to Bonn for conferences on Afghanistan.

"So we've talked with both capitals about very constructive roles that they can play. Certainly when the Secretary (of state Hillary Clinton)was in India over the summer, she talked in particular about the vision of the New Silk Road, which would ideally extend not just through Central Asia, to Afghanistan and Pakistan, but ultimately through India," the official said.

"And I think we've seen some very positive steps from both the Indians and the Pakistanis over the past few months on facilitating more trade between the countries, which is in the national security and economic interest of both countries," he said.

The US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Marc Grossman was in both Beijing and New Delhi on his most recent trip to the region over the last few weeks, and this (dialogue) continues in a range of other settings, he noted.

The official said US also hoped Pakistanis "will continue to play a role in terms of squeezing the Haqqani Network, helping to support the reconciliation process. even though much of that does not necessarily need to be militarily at this point."

"That includes ensuring that intelligence doesn't go to the Haqqani Network, that they address IED issues, that they don't benefit from financial resources or flow of finances, that we deal specifically with areas where we know the Haqqani Network and the Taliban are based, including kind of key cities along the border.

"So there's a range of issues that could help to facilitate this squeeze, and that would be very complementary to our efforts on the Afghan side of the border," he said.
US sees India, China in constructive role in Afghanistan - The Economic Times

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

Who do you think the terrorists are going to target once America pulls out?

 

[Vibs]

Who do you think the terrorists are going to target once America pulls out?

Their preferred target is a no brainer. But frankly CHinese will not exactly be seen welcome there as well. That hasn't stopped either country from venturing into traditionally hostile African countries. I doubt there will be a difference here either. I would expect an expanded SCO to eventually step in here.

BTW glad to know that you have such optimistic views about the region's future.

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

Their preferred target is a no brainer. But frankly CHinese will not exactly be seen welcome there as well. That hasn't stopped either country from venturing into traditionally hostile African countries. I doubt there will be a difference here either. I would expect an expanded SCO to eventually step in here.

BTW glad to know that you have such optimistic views about the region's future.

I'm just being realistic. They are going to attack whoever is left over there.

We aren't exactly popular with them either (being atheists and all)... but at least we never put any boots on the ground.

I kind of like the status quo, with NATO handling the security concerns, and leaving us to invest at an arms length. Maybe they won't pull out that soon, who knows.

 

[Pukhtoon]

Why US OF A Only Seeks Now a Days ?

I think **** is stuCk in their A** now.

 

[Developereo]

Who do you think the terrorists are going to target once America pulls out?

If you're talking about the Taliban, they only attack foreign invading forces (and those they accuse of collaboration). Once the Americans leave and Taliban are part of the government, why would they attack anyone who is in the country legally?

They were not attacking anybody before 9/11.

PS. That's assuming there is a stable coalition government in Afghanistan post NATO. If there is civil war then, of course, all bets are off and any country that gets involved would have known the risks.

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

They were not attacking anybody before 9/11.

And nor would they have.

But as usual, the USA comes in to create a firestorm, then leaves others to clean up the mess.

Just like they did before, when they used Afghanistan against the Soviet Union.

They shouldn't have invaded in the first place. But now that they have, surely they are obligated to clean up the mess, rather than leaving it for the neighbouring countries to clean up.

 

[Vibs]

I'm just being realistic. They are going to attack whoever is left over there.

We aren't exactly popular with them either (being atheists and all)... but at least we never put any boots on the ground.

I kind of like the status quo, with NATO handling the security concerns, and leaving us to invest at an arms length. Maybe they won't pull out that soon, who knows.

Well that would be ideal wouldn't it? I doubt they are going to leave anytime soon anyways. The relations built between the Afghan security forces and the Indian and Chinese counterparts would determine the final outcome.

And nor would they have.

But as usual, the USA comes in to create a firestorm, then leaves others to clean up the mess.

Just like they did before, when they used Afghanistan against the Soviet Union.

They shouldn't have invaded in the first place, but now that they have, surely they are obligated to clean up the mess, rather than leaving it for the neighbouring countries to clean up.

Frankly, yes this is a big mess. But the impact of it economically for Indian, China and Pakistan is huge. Pakistan may not like the fact that Afghanistan is opening up for trade with India, but the revival of a new Silk route connecting China, India, Pakistan and the Middle East is a potential gold mine for all parties involved. Even if Pakistan does nothing but act as a transit corridor, they stand to gain a lot.

 

[no_name]

China and India is mentioned in one sentence because if one country even shows sign of a twitch, the end result may be both uping the antics in afghanistan, and both loses.

But if India is making major movements it will be hard for China not to pay attention, because afghanistan is important for China's border security.

Best course will be for both countries to stay put.

 

[indushek]

Well that would be ideal wouldn't it? I doubt they are going to leave anytime soon anyways. The relations built between the Afghan security forces and the Indian and Chinese counterparts would determine the final outcome.



Frankly, yes this is a big mess. But the impact of it economically for Indian, China and Pakistan is huge. Pakistan may not like the fact that Afghanistan is opening up for trade with India, but the revival of a new Silk route connecting China, India, Pakistan and the Middle East is a potential gold mine for all parties involved. Even if Pakistan does nothing but act as a transit corridor, they stand to gain a lot.

India doesn't want a overtly Pakistan friendly government there, and Chinese cannot have USA sitting there in Afghanistan for a long haul. It would be too dangerous. However i don't think USA would be leaving any time soon for various reasons, one Iran and two China.