RUSSIA'S STAND ON TALIBAN SPELLS TROUBLE FOR INDIA

[Zarvan]

by Indrani Bagchi

NEW DELHI: Afghanistan has asked Russia to respect state to state relations after the Russian ambassador to Kabul stunned the Afghan parliament by saying Russia and Taliban had shared interests in fighting DaeshIS terror outfit.

Addressing the Upper House of the Afghan parliament on the weekend, envoy Alexander Mantytskiy was quoted as saying, "Zamir Kabulov (a high-ranking official in Russia's foreign ministry) said our interests are the same as Taliban in fighting IS terror outfit."

Kabulov is believed to be the chief driver of Russia's policies towards Afghanistan and Pakistan, and is believed to be responsible for Russia's outreach to Pakistan.

During the recent Heart of Asia ministerial in Amritsar, Kabulov stood out for his criticism of both India and Afghanistan, who had taken Pakistan to task for its continued support to terror groups. A few weeks ago, Kabulov was quoted by journalists as saying, "The IS terror outfit's (Daesh) Afghan wing -poses a great threat to us. That is dangerous for us because they are really global jihadists, that is the same as al-Qaida was at the beginning of its way in Afghanistan and they customised to central Asia with all consequences for us."

If this is indeed Russia's new stance on the Taliban and IS terror outfit, it will be problematic for India, Afghanistan and even the US. It will, however, be music to the ears for Pakistan. Russia's position would be difficult for the Ghani government to accept, which has been fighting the Taliban for over a decade. If Russia, one of Kabul's big supporters and supplier of weapon systems, actually strikes a deal with Kabul's enemy No. 1 to go after a third enemy, it could weaken the global coalition against Taliban, and their brand of extremism and terrorism. It would be hard for India and even the US to accept this as well, given that the US has spent over 15 years fighting them.

India has not yet commented on this latest development, though Afghan official sources said they have had talks with the Indian government about Russia's changing stand. "We want India to speak to Russia to clarify where it stands," Afghan ambassador to India, Shaida Abdali said.

Indian security officials also believe Taliban is the greater malign force in Afghanistan, not IS. This puts India, Russia and Iran on opposite camps, countries that fought together against the Taliban in the 1990s.

Red flags have been raised after reports surfaced of Russian officials quietly meeting Taliban representatives in Tajikistan. Meanwhile, Iran may find reason to be sympathetic to the Russian view --until 2015, Iran had flirted with the Taliban as both were fighting the same enemy , US. Now, Iran has emerged as the biggest opposition to IS terror outfit in Iraq and Syria. It is conceivable that Iran could once again tolerate Taliban in return for action against IS terror outfit.The Russian outreach to Pakistan also has the IS element as a persuading factor.

The Taliban, which were hosts to al-Qaida, continue to be seen as the big enemy force in Afghanistan. IS terror outfit has been operating largely in the eastern provinces of Nangarhar in Afghanistan.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...ls-trouble-for-india/articleshow/56001501.cms

 

[somebozo]

Taliban..in reality..are the Pashtun Majority tribal fighters..and Russia knows well..without majority..it is not going aywhere

 

[war&peace]

Ground realities have to be embraced and not what the sell out media tries to sell. If USA can allow Taliban to open their office near the CENTCOM then why can Russia not even talk to them?
Pakistan and Russia should join hands in cleaning the mess created by NATO and India.

 

[Thorough Pro]

Suck it indiafghan, you guys are always a step behind, a day late, and heading in the wrong direction

by Indrani Bagchi

NEW DELHI: Afghanistan has asked Russia to respect state to state relations after the Russian ambassador to Kabul stunned the Afghan parliament by saying Russia and Taliban had shared interests in fighting DaeshIS terror outfit.

Addressing the Upper House of the Afghan parliament on the weekend, envoy Alexander Mantytskiy was quoted as saying, "Zamir Kabulov (a high-ranking official in Russia's foreign ministry) said our interests are the same as Taliban in fighting IS terror outfit."

Kabulov is believed to be the chief driver of Russia's policies towards Afghanistan and Pakistan, and is believed to be responsible for Russia's outreach to Pakistan.

During the recent Heart of Asia ministerial in Amritsar, Kabulov stood out for his criticism of both India and Afghanistan, who had taken Pakistan to task for its continued support to terror groups. A few weeks ago, Kabulov was quoted by journalists as saying, "The IS terror outfit's (Daesh) Afghan wing -poses a great threat to us. That is dangerous for us because they are really global jihadists, that is the same as al-Qaida was at the beginning of its way in Afghanistan and they customised to central Asia with all consequences for us."

If this is indeed Russia's new stance on the Taliban and IS terror outfit, it will be problematic for India, Afghanistan and even the US. It will, however, be music to the ears for Pakistan. Russia's position would be difficult for the Ghani government to accept, which has been fighting the Taliban for over a decade. If Russia, one of Kabul's big supporters and supplier of weapon systems, actually strikes a deal with Kabul's enemy No. 1 to go after a third enemy, it could weaken the global coalition against Taliban, and their brand of extremism and terrorism. It would be hard for India and even the US to accept this as well, given that the US has spent over 15 years fighting them.

India has not yet commented on this latest development, though Afghan official sources said they have had talks with the Indian government about Russia's changing stand. "We want India to speak to Russia to clarify where it stands," Afghan ambassador to India, Shaida Abdali said.

Indian security officials also believe Taliban is the greater malign force in Afghanistan, not IS. This puts India, Russia and Iran on opposite camps, countries that fought together against the Taliban in the 1990s.

Red flags have been raised after reports surfaced of Russian officials quietly meeting Taliban representatives in Tajikistan. Meanwhile, Iran may find reason to be sympathetic to the Russian view --until 2015, Iran had flirted with the Taliban as both were fighting the same enemy , US. Now, Iran has emerged as the biggest opposition to IS terror outfit in Iraq and Syria. It is conceivable that Iran could once again tolerate Taliban in return for action against IS terror outfit.The Russian outreach to Pakistan also has the IS element as a persuading factor.

The Taliban, which were hosts to al-Qaida, continue to be seen as the big enemy force in Afghanistan. IS terror outfit has been operating largely in the eastern provinces of Nangarhar in Afghanistan.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...ls-trouble-for-india/articleshow/56001501.cms

 

[Path-Finder]

Russia has good understanding of afghanistan they spent almost a decade there, and this time its a little different!

 

[Aamir Siddiqui]

A Big problem for Endia and his father USA.... but both a@$h0les will never accept the realities and still trying to sit on fire.

 

[chauvinisticpatriot]

India wants growth of ISIS in afghanistan to target Pakistan

 

[Kompromat]

Russian, Chinese, Pakistan, GCC, Iran have a similar position on the Afghan Taliban. Iran is hosting the Afghan Taliban delegation as we speak.

 

[MadDog]

Russian, Chinese, Pakistan, GCC, Iran have a similar position on the Afghan Taliban. Iran is hosting the Afghan Taliban delegation as we speak.

Afghan Taliban control major areas in Afghanistan, realpolitik entails to consider them a major stakeholder. It is a shame that Afghan govt & some pseudo liberals from Pakistan compare Afghan Taliban with TTP. They (especially Afrasiab Khattak) claim that for itself Pakistan doesnt want TTP why does it want Afghan Taliban for Afghanistan.
Simple answer since Afghan Talibs control the momentum of war at the moment , all major powers are considering them equal dialogue partners to counter IS. While TTP was a smaller group which now been decimated and doesnt control any territory in Pakistan. The two brands of militants cant be compared.

 

[Jobless Jack]

India had atleast commanded some form of respect under the economist monmohan singh. But under this fraud modi, india has become a total bootlicker with no self respect.