India's Afghan nightmare

[WhiteTara]

The nightmare is spreading throughout the ENTIRE region.

New Delhi is increasingly concerned that the United States, having done all it possibly can to make its presence acceptable to Afghans, is now in the process of withdrawing from northern and western Afghanistan and reducing its presence in the southern and eastern parts of the country. The process would entail maintaining the existing US bases scattered all over Afghanistan, but handing over the charge of maintaining peace and stability in the non-urban areas of Afghanistan to international troops, including those from Pakistan.

snip

According to Chayes, it is not the Afghans, but the Pakistanis who are most upset by Karzai's decision to allow the US to set up permanent military bases inside Afghanistan. As the Islamabad establishment continues to treat Afghanistan as a subject territory, Chayes points out that while Pakistani officials have "mastered their role" as allies in the "war on terrorism" and play it convincingly, Pakistan would like the US to pull out of Afghanistan, leaving the field open for Islamabad. In fact, the process has begun already, and it worries Karzai to no end. Karzai, who does not see eye-to-eye with Islamabad and has strong ties to New Delhi, most likely expressed his concerns to US officials during his recent visit to Washington. It is unlikely, however, that the George W Bush administration, which needs Islamabad more than it needs Karzai, paid much attention.

snip

New Delhi also knows that while Islamabad will play along with Washington in Central Asia to undermine Russian and Chinese interests, it would be impossible for India to do so. Any Indian deployment in Afghanistan would thus deeply undermine India's interests in Central Asia, which at this time coincide favorably with those of Russia and China. India is also looking at Central Asia as a major supplier of oil and gas, which it needs badly. Pakistan is aware of this Indian requirement, and some in the strategic quarters would walk an extra mile to see it denied.

Chimpy has no idea what he is doing here there or anywhere.
http://atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/GF28Df01.html

[pie]

1. very interesting