India to train Afghan Forces.

[Mech]

India to train Afghan Forces.

In a major development, India has agreed to mentor the Afghan security forces as they gear up to deal with the drawdown of foreign forces by 2014.

The proposal has been on the drawing board for six years since Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai first suggested it, but was not implemented as Pakistan was uncomfortable with the idea of India-trained forces on both its flanks.

The proposal to train the Afghan National Security Forces was included in the first-ever Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) signed on Tuesday by Mr. Karzai and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during their third extensive meeting this year.

India has started stepping up its exposure to the security scenario in Afghanistan by operationalising an airbase in Tajikistan, which has since been used to strike at the top leadership of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. It has also sought permission to reopen a hospital at Farkhor on the Afghan border.

The two sides would also cooperate more closely at the United Nations, one of the objectives being to help India gain a permanent seat on the Security Council.

In addition to dealing with political and security cooperation aspects, the SPA spells out trade and economic cooperation in much greater detail, covering aspects ranging from assisting Afghanistan in developing trading routes to exploring for hydrocarbons and mineral ores the country is abundantly endowed with.

This means both countries will try to operationalise their trilateral MoU signed with Iran to end Afghanistan's landlocked isolation and dependence on Pakistan to reach the sea. It brightens India's chances of bagging a lucrative mining contract for Hajigak, said to be the region's largest untapped reserve of iron ore, and provides an opportunity to hunt for oil in northern Afghanistan. Two MoUs — one in the field of mineral exploration and the other for the development of hydrocarbons — reflected the interest of both sides in these areas.

Releasing the SPA in four languages — Hindi, Pashto, Dari and English — the two sides also resolved to create a favourable trading and investment environment by simplifying customs and other procedures, starting air cargo operations and improving credit and insurance facilities.

As Dr. Singh and Mr. Karzai made it clear, the pact would not be directed against any state or a group of states.

“The agreement on a Strategic Partnership creates an institutional framework for our future cooperation in the fields of political and security , trade and economic cooperation, capacity building and education, and social, cultural, civil society and people-to-people relations,” Dr. Singh explained in his statement to the media at the signing ceremony at the Hyderabad House.

Mr. Karzai's visit comes in the wake of the high-profile assassinations of the former Afghan President, Burhanuddin Rabbani, and Kandahar Provincial Council chief Ahmad Wali Karzai when they were engaged in the peace process.

Source: The Hindu : News / National : India to train Afghan forces

 

[Mech]

Maybe Dr.Manmohan does know what he's doing after all. Opinions?

 

[KS]

Good step.

India can give 'valuable' info/guidance on various training procedures required to take on the enemies.

Maybe Dr.Manmohan does know what he's doing after all. Opinions?

If only he knew what he is doing inside India

 

[Mech]

My only worry in all this is, are we peddling the American agenda here? Are we being made pawns in a much larger game? Does this mean the end of Non-Aligned policy of India?

Last year, we had this http://www.defence.pk/forums/india-...onsider-asking-india-train-afghan-forces.html

Now This
http://www.defence.pk/forums/world-affairs/132999-india-train-afghan-forces.html#post2163942

 

[KS]

My only worry in all this is, are we peddling the American agenda here? Are we being made pawns in a much larger game? Does this mean the end of Non-Aligned policy of India?

Last year, we had this http://www.defence.pk/forums/india-...onsider-asking-india-train-afghan-forces.html
Now This
http://www.defence.pk/forums/world-affairs/132999-india-train-afghan-forces.html#post2163942

There is nothing wrong in training the forces perse or making officers out of the Afghan soldiers in our academies.

Infact the soldier-to-soldier bond is quite useful. Case in point Nepal where our influence is now mainly preserved by the Indian trained Nepalese Army.

 

[Mech]

You do realize what "Trainers" imply don't you? It means stationing our troops on a foreign soil. Now the number of troops or equipment that can be stationed there under the name of "training" are quite limitless. I sincerely hope we as a nation, are prepared for this.

 

[KS]

You do realize what "Trainers" imply don't you? It means stationing our troops on a foreign soil. Now the number of troops or equipment that can be stationed there under the name of "training" are quite limitless. I sincerely hope we as a nation, are prepared for this.

An 'optimum' number of trainers can always be worked out and given the fact that the common Afghan looks at India with a very positive feel, I don't think it will be a problem. Our softpower like Bollywood, TV soaps (Yes Afghans are crazy about that) can very well generate the necessary goodwill for these missions.

Moreover we can also train their officer cadets in our institutions here (If I am not wrong that is already going on).

If implemened properly it will be a coup of sorts in Indian foreign policy and go a long way in assuring our defence preparedness.

An enemy with scattered forces is always better than an enemy with massed resources.

 

[Don Jaguar]

Good news!!!

 

[Mech]

An 'optimum' number of trainers can always be worked out and given the fact that the common Afghan looks at India with a very positive feel, I don't think it will be a problem.

Moreover we can also train their officer cadets in our institutions here (If I am not wrong that is already going on).

If implemened properly it will be a coup of sorts in Indian foreign policy and go a long way in assuring our defence preparedness.

An enemy with scattered forces is always better than an enemy with massed resources.

Actually, no. The current Afghan administration is determined to gain Indian support under whatever terms except surrender of sovereignty. All the current developments indicate that Afghan administration and the NATO alliance are desperately struggling to get India to station its troops in Afghanistan. If we are being propped to replace the US in Afghanistan, i would be rather alarmed.

 

[Mech]

On the plus side, Indian industries can start mining the rich Afghan resources as well. Especially, the rare earth minerals.

 

[KS]

Actually, no. The current Afghan administration is determined to gain Indian support under whatever terms except surrender of sovereignty. All the current developments indicate that Afghan administration and the NATO alliance are desperately struggling to get India to station its troops in Afghanistan. If we are being propped to replace the US in Afghanistan, i would be rather alarmed.

First of all I dont think the US is just going to leave the region and go away.

They knew what happened when they tried that once in the 90s.

The most likely thing to happen is the construction of permanent bases on the lines of one in Bahrain, Okinawa and permanent presence of forces, drones etc.

And I think there is a hell-a-lot of difference in training and fighting.

While we can spare manpower to train, we do not have enough man power to spare to Afg as we have two hostile/dormant borders to mind. So any proposal to take the NATO's place will be shot down by the Army HQ itself. No worries.

On the plus side, Indian industries can start mining the rich Afghan resources as well. Especially, the rare earth minerals.

Agreement for that has already been signed, separate from the security agreement.

 

[karan.1970]

Actually, no. The current Afghan administration is determined to gain Indian support under whatever terms except surrender of sovereignty. All the current developments indicate that Afghan administration and the NATO alliance are desperately struggling to get India to station its troops in Afghanistan. If we are being propped to replace the US in Afghanistan, i would be rather alarmed.

Its all a part of giving some mild shocks to Pakistan by marginally increasing India's stake in Afghanistan. Part of Uncle Sam's carrot and stick policy for Pakistan. Expect another marginal bump up of India's involvement or a softening of Pakistan's stand in next few days..

Indian troops in Afghanistan.. Not gonna happen...

 

[EastWest]

My only worry in all this is, are we peddling the American agenda here? Are we being made pawns in a much larger game? Does this mean the end of Non-Aligned policy of India?

Last year, we had this http://www.defence.pk/forums/india-...onsider-asking-india-train-afghan-forces.html

Now This
http://www.defence.pk/forums/world-affairs/132999-india-train-afghan-forces.html#post2163942

Just because our interests coincide with USA/NATO in this case..It does not mean we should stop doing things which are essential for our national security...A Taliban free Afghanistan is the best bet for a stable South Asia ... i think we should stop hididng behind this Non-Aligned policy every time we see NATO/USA...

 

[d14gtc]

A very gud step indeed.

 

[Mech]

Here's my theory. Explicit statement confirming the stationing of Indian troops in Afghanistan would drive Pakistan and china to adopt definitive and aggressive maneuvers. Removing all ambiguity would result in catastrophic consequences, hence the "training" .

This is the same tactic American forces use to station troops on foreign soil.