It recognizes the Taliban as just one among multiple warring parties in Afghanistan, and emphasizes its inclusion in the peace process. This flawed theory, India knows well, is propelled by the generals in Rawalpindi as it gives them an extended run of life in Afghanistan, the country they perceive to be their strategic backyard. India had just transferred four attack helicopters to the Afghanistan government to boost its fight against the Taliban. Irrespective of what Trumps opts for, India must begin to re-establish its contacts with the various ethnic groups in Afghanistan. In tough times, it is always better to have support on the ground rather than to rely merely on principled speeches to be delivered in international conferences on Afghanistan.

Source: Mint January 17, 2017 18:25 UTC