A Stable Afghanistan Remains Cardinal to Indo-US Cooperation in the Region
The Indo-US cooperation is very critical to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan; the former could help in strengthening the Afghan security forces apart from helping in bringing together a political alliance of warlords against the Taliban.
Likely Areas of Cooperation: Even as a non-cooperative Pakistan tries to ruin peace chances in Afghanistan by supporting Taliban, an alliance between India and the US helps Afghanistan to securely move out of the instability. India and USA have very huge scope for cooperation in Afghanistan, especially in strengthening the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces( ANDSF). After the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, the US has been searching for a responsible and suitable partner to shoulder the burden of ensuring peace in the strife-torn nation. India as a regional power certainly suits America’ s interests.
India has completed many development projects in Afghanistan and is taking up many more; this is apart from having provided economic assistance of over three billion dollars. In addition, India has also been providing training to the Afghan security personnel to prepare them to better handle the internal threats emanating from the Taliban. All of this makes India an indispensable partner for the US in Afghanistan.
Furthermore, US would like India to expand its defence cooperation with Afghanistan by undertaking training of the latter’ s Air Force recruits; help in ramping up pilot training for light aircraft and helicopters and also help in establishing service and repair facilities.
72 • Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 6 • Issue 9 • September 2018, Noida