Pakistan’s fear that Indian presence in Afghanistan threatens its national security is unfounded, top American experts have told lawmakers.
Speaking at a Congressional hearing on the Haqqani network, they ruled out the possibility of India’s ever-mounting invasion of Pakistan from Afghanistan.
Instead, the American experts told the lawmakers that there was no evidence of Indian effort in Afghanistan undermining Pakistan’s national security.
“I don’t think we have seen any evidence of efforts by India to directly undermine Pakistani national security. This is something that the Pakistanis fear but I don’t think that we should let the US policy be driven by Pakistani fear,” Lisa Curtis of the Heritage Foundation said in response to questions from lawmakers who raised Pakistani concerns in this regard.
“I think we should point out that if Pakistan is worried about Afghanistan getting too close to India then it needs to take steps to build its own relationship with Afghanistan because what Pakistan is doing by supporting militants it’s not currying favor with the Afghan people. So if it wants to have a better relationship with Afghanistan, it needs to engage in normal state activities that allow that,” Curtis said. Responding to a question from Congressman Brad Sherman, she said, “One thing that I think we were inadequately sensitive to throughout our involvement in Afghanistan is how it’s absolutely unacceptable to Pakistan, and naturally so, that Afghanistan would become a strategic enemy or a base for the Indian military,” Sherman said. “To what extent is Pakistan justifiably afraid that (Afghan President Hamid) Karzai could be a strategic ally of India and a strategic enemy of Pakistan and to what extent is there justifiable fear, looking at the entire Kabul government as a whole,” Sherman asked.
Jeffrey Dressler, senior research analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, said, “Congressman, I think it’s overstated the extent that there’s Indian influence in Afghanistan. I mean, certainly they have diplomatic influence.” Sherman observed that “whatever influence they have will be multiplied by 10 in the minds of Pakistani Generals. So we have to make sure it’s a pretty low number”. Dressler said he did not expect that India “will be mounting an invasion from Afghanistan into Pakistan. I think that’s very far from reality, and so that concern is unfounded. Certainly, there’s activity and President Karzai one of his strategies is to leverage all elements of regional competitors against each other and that’s simply what he’s doing when it comes to Pakistan”. To a question on recent improvement in Indo-Pak relationship, especially in the trade sector, Dressler said though the Pakistan-India relationship was potentially getting better, it was also directly undermined by elements of the Pakistani security services’ support for groups like Lashkar-e-Tayabba and others. “It’s about encouraging or compelling elements of the security services to cease their support and facilitation for these groups,” he said and his words were echoed by Curtis.
Listening to America is like listening to the mournful wailing of 'evil spirits' in a haunted house or a jungle. Listening to America can be compared with the smelling of carbon monoxide. Salams
Why don't you accept the fact that your security services are supporting the militants who are killing the Afghans? Then you won't have to listen to Americans. And wake up and smell the coffee. Don't get deluded and think that it is some other gas.
Undhyu Patil …u would know that … How ?? as u said don't get deluded … Nato n USA … makes how many countries ???? n still blame Pakistan ??? yes Pakistan services must be beyond extra ordinary to carry out what u r claiming as a reality … LOL …
Pakistanis r getting worried about Indias influence in Afghanistan. India has alread spend $1billion and is soending another billion in the next 2-3 yrs on capacity building from housing, hospitals, schools, colleges and roads electricity plants, dams etc. What has Pakistan done except shake hands with the Taliban (well after creating them), so Afghans know this and they hate the Pakistanis and consider them as coniving b'dards. India will increase its commitment to Afghanistan by another $2billion and also corporate sector investmest are getting ready with MOU of $10 billions!! So After we train the police and the army our focus is still capacity building. After all the elite of Afghanistan wants to go to either India, USA, Australia or Canada.
I agree India is the way to go for us, we want the pakistanis to stay out … AOA
We should do it now before its too late. If AFG, U.S, and India attack Packs they can get control of Pakistan in one day or I week.
we are a US ally, USA wouldn't attack us and they would act as a safeguard to Pakistan as they want to keep a check on India's influence and might in Asia, US can't stand any other country getting stronger and mightier day by day! Best for India to maintain peace with Pakistan.
Their is difference in the report of US, in this article they are saying that they have no evidences of indian involvement in Afghanistan that could harm Pakistan. In other news on this same website, the US authorities says the claim of Pakistan for indian involvement in Afghanistan is not groundless. So you can see how correct Americans are.
Sanjumama, afghanis from the very beginning had problems with Pakistan, this is not something new, even in 1960s, most of the items that were sold in the streets of Kabul were indian made. And Indian movies and songs were famous in Afghanistan. They never preferred Pakistani products . Some Indian actors and actresses even visited Afghanistan before and an Indian movie was even shot in Afghanistan . Why is it that you Indians are showing so much concern about Afghanistan now?
.
Their are also some schools and hospitals that were setup by Pakistan before, and their are some areas in Afghanistan where they use Pak currency . Atleast Pakistan doesnot use other countries as a staging ground for creating problems in India. India no doubt is doing some good work in Afghanistan but behind its cover, India is also causing many problems in Pakistan. Even US Senator and nominee for Defence Secretary Mr.Haygal said that most of the problems in Pakistan are caused by India through Afghanistan.
Comments are closed.