The USA and EU have recently decided to withdraw from Afghanistan in a phased manner. Initially withdrawing from the safe and 'sterile' pockets of the country and then gradually from Afghanistan itself. This will ensure that the country will be self-governed in the near future.
The million dollar question is: Who will govern next?
Hamid Karzai and his governmet? Or the ISI backed Taliban? Or is it going to go all the way back to history with local warlords?
We could never know. So what can India do about this? India has very gradually and subtly established it's presence today where before it was proving to be a momentous task. It was a brilliant move on our part to pour in aid, build strategic highways and provide medical aid. All this we stand to lose if a rouge party comes to control the country. Notwithstanding the amount of investment we have poured in but also in a very strategical front. The strategical part can be easily understood by the recent attacks on our embassy, missions, kidnappings and a whole bunch of other activities that clearly suggests we are actually creating an impact against the anti-Indian lobby in the region.
Can we give in to this threat we are facing especially in the light of what could happen post withdrawal?
We should never.
This presence has been established after decades of struggling to find a footfall in the region. The future strategic potential that this country provides, especially as a passage to oil rich Middle East. Another advantage would be the Pakistan encirclement scenario where it would have to look both ways before misbehaving.
Anti-Indian groups will continue to try and destabilize our presence. This can be prevented by making our missions more encompassing and putting all our eggs in one basket. Since nowhere else can Indian forces be deployed, it would make things breathable for us and give a uniform security blanket for all Indian citizens there.
Next Post: Setting a dynamic policy for the future in the region.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
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