Challenge of Afghanistan.
Stability in Afghanistan is not only a challenge to the USA but to India, Iran and Russia as well, as as been pointed out by Nitin Pai and Rohit Pradhan in the op-ed "Unquiet on the Western Front" ( Indian Express,25/1/10). Since Pakistan is an unwilling participant, stability has eluded there. Contribution from these countries is essential for a lasting solution both in terms of development and troops. China too should be included and it has been awarded mining rights there. All this should take place under the auspices of UNO and with the concurrence of the elected government. The observations made by the eminent historian and diplomat K.M.Panikkar that India's security perimeter extends up to Kabul is fact of history and that sad history should not be allowed to be repeated.
Fact of the matter is, India still lacks strategic thinking. As K.Subrahmanyam, one of few strategic experts in India, has rightly mentioned, "There is better understanding about the Indian security management problem outside India than within the country." (Guarding the growth,Indian Express,25/1/10). There is an urgent need to promote think-tanks on various issues confronting the country. Our political parties are interested only in the next election. Our corporates and various trusts confine themselves to business and philanthropy. Nobody seem to bother about the future, whether it is security or environment, and even poverty. If India has to emerge as a great country, we have to have visionaries who can chart a future to inspire our youth.
January 26,2010.
****
