U.S President recently announced his new Afghan strategy.
What are the implications?
The policy was well received in India, with a promise of continued support with other partners.
By invoking a larger Indian role in Afghanistan, it might add to the pressures on Pakistan to cooperate with the US.
Pakistan is conscious of the dangers of antagonising the West, which was evident by its marked silence regarding the new policy.
But it also should be noted that Pakistan has got away with its misdeeds for the past 17 years.
So it would indeed prove difficult to turn words into action.
It will not be easy, however, for Pakistan to abandon its investments in cross-border terror and will urge US pressure on India to start talks on Kashmir.
What is the way ahead?
A positive Indian approach would involve three elements — economic, security and diplomatic.
India must ramp up its economic diplomacy in Afghanistan to bring immediate benefits to Kabul amidst the deteriorating conditions in the country.
It must step up security cooperation with Afghanistan, especially in the training of its police and armed forces and intelligence sharing.
It must also remind the world of its commitment to regional cooperation with Afghanistan and Pakistan, in an atmosphere free of terrorism.
