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STRATFOR.com
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Pakistan Jilted as Afghans Warm Up to India
January 2, 2002
Summary
With threats on all borders, the new government of Afghanistan is plunging into the world of Central Asian power politics. Hamid Karzai, the chairman of Afghanistan's interim government, and other leaders are strengthening their ties with India in hopes of keeping neighboring Pakistan off-balance.
Analysis
Calling India his "second home," Afghan leader Hamid Karzai said Dec. 30 that it should play a greater role than other countries in reconstructing Afghanistan, the Times of India reported. Karzai was speaking in Kabul to Indian Special Envoy Satish Lambah, who reiterated New Delhi's support for the interim government in Kabul and for rebuilding Afghanistan.
Afghan leaders appear to be moving closer to India, which has been a longtime supporter of the Northern Alliance and a rival to Pakistan, which fostered the ousted Taliban regime. The move makes sense for several reasons. Ethnic Tajiks, who have strong ties to India, dominate the interim government. And because the Afghan government faces threats on all sides, it needs to play balance-of-power politics in order to survive.
The political leanings of the interim government will strain Afghanistan's relations with Islamabad, which will complicate U.S. efforts to continue operating in Pakistan.
Karzai's remarks come as Kabul makes concerted efforts to forge links with the Indian government. Three Afghan officials -- Interior Minister Younus Qanooni, Labor Minister Mir Wais Sadeq and Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah -- have visited India since mid-December.
(The Rest of the Story)
(c) 2001 Stratfor, Inc.
Dan
Pakistan Jilted as Afghans Warm Up to India . . .