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NEW DELHI: Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef who made an appearance at an event in Goa is no stranger to track II effortshaving been courted by Western intelligence agencies, including the British MI 6 in the past.
Efforts to reach out to Taliban leaders like Zaeef began as Western governments, in their hunt for a safe exit from Afghanistan, began exploring accommodation with Taliban elements amenable to a peace deal.
As the US and the Hamid Karzai government explore contacts with the Taliban, Indian agencies are seeking allies in a highly fluid political scenario marked by shifting alliances ahead of next year's presidential election in Afghanistan.
India's challenge lies in ensuring it retains sufficient leverage to protect its strategic and economic stakes against a determined Pakistani bid to regain the influence it once wielded in Kabul. One way to do so would be not to put all its eggs in one basket.
With the nature of alliances hard to predict while the April, 2014 election itself is not viewed as a certain event on Afghanistan's political calendar, India does not have an easy task on its hands.
By giving Zaeef a visa, Indian agencies are signaling that they are willing to get into the business of backing suitable coalitions that include factions it has not previously dealt with.
Apart from seeking new allies, India continues to rely on its development works to give it a positive profile while looking to tap perceived Afghan resentment against Pakistan's alleged role in fuelling terrorism to its benefit.
The assessment in Indian circles is that the government can count on regional allies only to a limited extent and will have to depend on its acumen and resources to get the job of deal with hostile Pakistani intent on its own.
Zaeef was seen at a similar seminar or conclave at King's college in London in 2010 that provided a forum for former Pakistani military officers, mediapersons, including some from India, activists and intelligence officials.
Zaeef, who had spent more than four years in US custody after 9/11, was provided a comfortable stay in the UK that included a holiday in Scotland.
After being a fairly high-profile "ambassador" in Pakistan, he spent years in US custody before being released after which he wrote a book, "My Life with the Taliban".
Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef hints at India's hunt for new allies in uncertain Afghan scenario - The Times of India
Efforts to reach out to Taliban leaders like Zaeef began as Western governments, in their hunt for a safe exit from Afghanistan, began exploring accommodation with Taliban elements amenable to a peace deal.
As the US and the Hamid Karzai government explore contacts with the Taliban, Indian agencies are seeking allies in a highly fluid political scenario marked by shifting alliances ahead of next year's presidential election in Afghanistan.
India's challenge lies in ensuring it retains sufficient leverage to protect its strategic and economic stakes against a determined Pakistani bid to regain the influence it once wielded in Kabul. One way to do so would be not to put all its eggs in one basket.
With the nature of alliances hard to predict while the April, 2014 election itself is not viewed as a certain event on Afghanistan's political calendar, India does not have an easy task on its hands.
By giving Zaeef a visa, Indian agencies are signaling that they are willing to get into the business of backing suitable coalitions that include factions it has not previously dealt with.
Apart from seeking new allies, India continues to rely on its development works to give it a positive profile while looking to tap perceived Afghan resentment against Pakistan's alleged role in fuelling terrorism to its benefit.
The assessment in Indian circles is that the government can count on regional allies only to a limited extent and will have to depend on its acumen and resources to get the job of deal with hostile Pakistani intent on its own.
Zaeef was seen at a similar seminar or conclave at King's college in London in 2010 that provided a forum for former Pakistani military officers, mediapersons, including some from India, activists and intelligence officials.
Zaeef, who had spent more than four years in US custody after 9/11, was provided a comfortable stay in the UK that included a holiday in Scotland.
After being a fairly high-profile "ambassador" in Pakistan, he spent years in US custody before being released after which he wrote a book, "My Life with the Taliban".
Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef hints at India's hunt for new allies in uncertain Afghan scenario - The Times of India
