India and Afghanistan

India is taking a leading role in assisting Afghanistan in its reconstruction and governance efforts. At the same time; however, it is accused by Pakistan in engaging in a "proxy war" - setting up terrorist and intelligence nets within Afghanistan which will attack Pakistan's rear areas (along the Pakistan-Afghan border). Surely India has the occasional intelligence operative conducting his daily business - most all nations do this. But the accusations by Pakistan (at least from a study of open source news) seems unfounded. Certainly, India's escapades could not come close to the support the Pakistani intelligence service provides to the "good Taliban" that have sanctuary in Pakistan and mount operations in Afghanistan. India is doing a lot of good in Afghanistan. It is the largest regional provider of humanitarian and reconstruction aid to Afghanistan. Some 4,000 Indians are working in construction projects. India is also assisting in numerous road projects, power plant initiatives, and other sectors of the economy. Read more in "Existential crisis for nascent democracy", The Free Press Journal (India), October 18, 2014.

India Provides Entrepreneurial Training to Afghans

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs is providing entrepreneurial training to Afghan professionals through its ITEC fellowship program. The program enhances management skills in project development, gender development and planning. Read more in "India offers entrepreneurial skills to Afghan professionals", Business Standard, October 16, 2014.

India to Remain Friend of Afghanistan

The Prime Minister of India has said to President Ghani that India will stand by as a friend and partner. During their phone call they both said "good things" about each other. Read more in "India will stand as friend and partner, Modi tells new Afghan president", Business Standard, October 15, 2014.

China and India: Cooperation on Afghanistan?

With NATO and the United States downsizing to less than 15,000 troops in 2014 and then even fewer still in 2015 the influence of the Western international community in Afghanistan and Central Asia is diminishing. Regional players will be taking a larger part in the diplomatic, economic, and security aspects of Afghanistan. Two of these two countries that may have a positive effect on Afghanistan are China and India. Both are assisting in the development of  raw resources of Afghanistan (China with copper and India with iron ore). In addition, both countries are providing funding and assistance in a number of other broad economic areas. Read more in "Can China and India Cooperate in Afghanistan?", The Diplomat, October 1, 2014.

India and the Afghan Flag

India has presented Afghanistan with an enormous flag. It was recently hoisted over Kabul's historic Wazir Akbar Khan hill in early September on a flagpole more than 200 feet high. The flag measures 97 by 65 feet. Many observers state that the flag is symbolic of India's commitment to a strong Afghanistan; and a reminder to Pakistan and other nations that Afghanistan has neighbors that care about its future. Read more on the flag gift in "Afghanistan Boldly Raises Its Colors, as Never Before", The New York Times, September 13, 2014.

Afghanistan's Plan B

The Karzai regime has been continuing and increasing its verbal attacks against the United States. At risk is the continued presence of U.S. forces in Afghanistan post-2014 to continue the Security Force Assistance (SFA) mission (Resolute Support) and the many millions of dollars in foreign aid that will be tied to that SFA mission. However, Karzai may be willing to walk away from the advisors and the aid because he has a Plan B. Plan B could very well involve increases in support from Iran and India. Read more in "Could Iran and India be Afghanistan's Plan B", The Diplomat, February 14, 2014.

China and India Increase Dialogue About Afghanistan

As the Western powers withdraw from Afghanistan both India and China are looking at ways to ensure that Afghanistan remains stable and also becomes a source of economic opportunity in the years that follow 2014. To this end both India and China are holding periodic talks to see how they can complement their efforts. This dialogue is analyzed by the Observer Research Foundation (Harsh V. Pant). Read the analysis in "China Reaches to India on Afghanistan - Analysis", Eurasia Review, January 10, 2014.

India Interested in Afghan Hajigak Iron Ore Mines

India may soon sign a contract with the Afghan government for the development of the Hajigak iron ore mines. The deal was offered to a consortium led by the Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) a few years back. Read more in "Afghanistan keen to ink mining contract with India", SME Times, December 24, 2013.

India Pursuing Stronger Links with Afghanistan

With the coming of December 2014 (withdrawal of vast majority of ISAF troops) and prospects of diminished aid Afghanistan will need to rely more on regional partners in the South Central Asia area. While there are plenty of nations that are located near the border Afghanistan - it would be difficult to label them as "partners". One nation does fit the "future partner" category and that is India. India and Afghanistan have improved their ties with each other slowly and carefully but in an ever more positive direction. Of course, this is all taking into consideration the Pakistan-India dispute - so there is a delicate balancing act on India's part. Read more in "India Pursues Greater Military, Economic Links with Afghanistan", DefenseNews, January 2, 2014.

Time to Look at the Bigger Picture - A South Asian Strategy

A Research Fellow for the South Asia and the Near East at the Center for Strategic Research, Thomas F. Lynch, has wrote an online article for the AFPAK Channel (Foreign Policy) about the war in Afghanistan and South Asia in general.  He suggests that, with the strategic defeat of bin Laden's al-Qaeda, it is time to shift focus and look at the larger picture - the strategic politics of South Asia - specifically the Pakistan India conflict.  He states that Pakistan's big fear is that a resurgent pro-India Afghanistan regime with a strong ANSF will trap Pakistan between two adversaries.  He believes that a resolution of the Pakistan India conflict will result in a weaker Taliban (less Pakistan support and lack of sanctuaries).  Read his article entitled "The 80 percent solution", The AFPAK Channel on Foreign Policy, February 8, 2012.  His paper (30-pages long) on this same topic and also called "The 80 Percent Solution" is available here on the New America Foundation website (dated February 2012).