Tronic

The Indian Army will provide training to Afghan counterparts as it has agreed to provide counter-insurgency training to the Afghan army.

The agreement was reached during a meeting between the Afghan Defense Minister, Abdul Rahim Wardak, and his Indian counterpart, Shri A K Antony, in New Delhi.

While Antony ruled out any military involvement in the war-torn country, he assured his Afghan counterpart that India would remain 'actively engaged' in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the nation.

"Terrorism is a common threat to both the countries. Cooperation between us is important against fundamentalism and terrorism," Wardak said.

Press TV - India to train Afghan army

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Nabha Sparasham Deeptam
-Touch The Sky With Glory

Adux

Good News, anyway we can help

antimony

How soon do you think the "jumping up and down in indignation" begin across the border?

Agnostic Muslim

Already begun, among Internet posters at least.

Its a legitimate concern for Pakistan. Two nations with irredentist sentiment on two fronts.

Practically, however, I am not certain it has any major import - unless large contingents of Indian troops get deployed to Afghanistan.

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Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic state to be ruled by priests with a divine mission - Jinnah

Neo

Combat training is not the answer to stability in Afghanistan, as long as the nation remain devided they'll end up killing eachother. We saw it happen after the Sovjet invasion, US trained mujahideen on Pakistani soil...look where we're now.

AM,

No way large contingents of Indian troops will ever make it to Afghanistan, she might have the power and infrastructure to depoly troops in Afghanistan she lacks political will to do so.

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Administrator @ Defence.pk

Agnostic Muslim

Thats my point.

It is no secret that the Afghans in charge harbor irredentist sentiment when it comes to Pakistani territory, so the "interaction" and "training" is not really an issue - the Afghan Govt. is already a hostile entity, and possibly will continue to be looked at as such until they resolve the Durand Line issue (which some Western Leaders have acknowledged lately).

The actual deployment of Indian troops in Afghanistan, however, (training, peacekeeping what have you) would increase the practical level of threat, and then the situation might be cause for concern.

But as you said, currently that seems unlikely.

Adux

I dont think India cares nor the world cares two hoots about what Pakistan thinks in terms of Afghanistan or terrorism.

Training the Afghan Army and creating conducive atmosphere for them to operate can also lead to India getting its strategic objective without even basing a single soldier.

India as times passes will have the political will, An enemy or India reader who does not factor the mindset of the current set of Indian youth, is doing a great dis-service to their nation and study. The next crop of India leaders and India as whole will not be what it was before.

Adil Memon

Though it was Pakistan that saved Afghanistan from Soviet Union, India is looked at more favourably than Pakistan by Afghan government. So while India is extolled for the services it renders in national reconstruction in Afghanistan, Pakistan is increasingly falling under the ire of Afghan leaders despite losing 1000+ soldiers in fighting Afghanistan's war in Pakistan.

Afghanistan and India are both hostile countries for Pakistan. Any warmth in their relations would be taken seriously by Pakistan. Pakistan can not allow India to have the 'strategic depth' it acquired in the 1990s in Afghanistan.

Agnostic Muslim

I should clarify further - the interaction and training does not, as a practical matter, substantially increase Pakistani concerns any more than they already are with respect to Indian influence in Afghanistan.

Adux:

Pakistan is not asking India to "care two hoots". If any concerns are raised (over potential) Indian troop deployment), it will be with the Afghans and NATO.

As for your "new generation of leaders", time will not stand still on the rest of the earth either - changing scenarios will be met with evolving strategies and policies.

Neo

Partly agree, its not entire Afghanistan but the Northern Alliance which's against Pakistan, thats the reason India is exploiting every single opportunity and NA is playing along. NA's in bed with both India and the US but losing support on national level since no visible affects have been seen since she took power.

Afghanistan will always be vulnerable when it comes to Pakistan, we still have strategic comand over the county and we can drain it by cutting off supplies in case of emergency or national threat.

I wouldn't underestimate her though, she's got decades of experience in guerilla warfare, she can cause much damage in Pakistan but then again we've only shown out teeth sofar.

Adux

Thanks to Pakistan and Taliban.

I can understand now why as stated by Adil above Afghani's have a beef with Pakistan.

Agnostic Muslim

Thanks to the Taliban and the "warlordism" (highest poppy drug ever did some one say?).

Neo also said: "in case of emergency or national threat".

The Afghans are the ones who refused to recognize Pakistan when it gained independence, aided and abetted Baloch militants and sponsored terrorism (The GoP believes with Indian involvement) in Pakistan.

Hardly cause for them to complain if we now assert ourselves to protect our national interests and being caught in a pincer move.

Adux

Ag.Muslim

There are new route's opening up to Afghanistan. Pakistan importance 'may' go down in future with respect to Afghanistan. Afghan government is firmly on the Indian side, they want troops there. It is the lack of political will on Indian side not lack of interest from NATO or Afghanistan. Those 5 consulate's are still standing arent they.

About the new leaders, ofcourse the world is changing and nobody else is standing still. But we are progressing faster in every spheres if you take Pakistan for instance. In future the means and political will, would be available to India. Or do you expect the current Indian scenario to forever go on?

Neo

You're forgetting that the Sovjets could only invade due support of NA which led to the distruction of the country. Mujahideen once supported by US and her Allies abandoned the county to bleed to death when their goals were achieved, i.e. withdrawl of USSR in 1987.
Pakistan should not be held responsible for their misery.

It also explains your love and admiration for Afghanistan despite being a mulsim country.

Why would you care to save and improve life for 34 million muslim terrorists anyway?

Neo

Btw, US is already training Afghan Army with combat and counter-insurgency training, she knows and specialises in AQ tactics where India does not.

Two different tactics to counter single enemy, seems like overkill.