one more reason to not listen to the experts. India has done well by 1. not getting entangled in the military coalition. 2. focussing on development projects and creation of a civil society.
keep up the good work and keep a low profile. Win Afghan hearts and minds by helping them rebuild their own country in the manner they like.
Keep the Talibanis in the box by expediting the spread of female education and work, music, humour (yes its easier to defeat the Taliban if they are at the receiving end of jokes) and entertainment.
Re: we have don well
by Argumentative Indian on Dec 23, 2009 11:08 AM
SS, in addition to what you are saying, i.e. spread of female education, etc. etc., we also need to facilitate a religious alternative to the Afghans.
The position that God doesn't want you to have a good time, is very powerful and cannot be 100% countered merely by facilitating a good time. An alternative is needed, that says, God actually wants you to have a good time now, so that you have a better time in heaven, and anyone who preaches that life is full of hardships and suffering is actually the false messiah.
India's contribution to uplifting Afganistan is miniscule compared to Pakistan's billions in undermining/destroying this poor nation. And Pakistan's billions comes from the middle-east but India has to take from its own pocket which is not much
India has done the right thing by keeping low to start with but the time is becoming ripe to raise the profile and get more serious about Afghanistan.
Karzai is back and India must use this to our advantage. Afghans have gotten used to our movies, culture and goods. We should use that to expand our sphere of influence on them. Indian companies should expand presence there and exploit the natural resources and infrastructure opportunities. Afghanistan sits in a very strategic position and if Indian companies could make a base there, it would give them a door to central Asia.
Indian agencies need to expand presence in Afghanistan so that poorkis could also to made to feel heat on their western border. And India should support the centuries old demand for a united pashtunistan which would break poorkis into smaller pieces.
We have interest in Afghanistan and we need to be more visible there.
Re: BJP HIZADAS...SOLD INDIA TO TALIBAMMM
by provu rai on Dec 23, 2009 10:07 AM
OHHH REALLY TENDU. READ A GENERAL KNOWLEDG BOOK OF SECOND STANDARD. THEN COME TO THIS FORUM.
Re: BJP HIZADAS...SOLD INDIA TO TALIBAMMM
by Fried Yakov on Dec 23, 2009 09:35 AM
Never knew that the BJP ruled India for 15 years (1989-2004)????? Goes beyond doubt to prove the extent of your misinformation and false campaign against the BJP. Why do you not reveal your real name instead of hiding behind the name of a terrorist slain by the forces of Indira's Congress government?
we are not here to clean mess made by Americans. We should continue to help Afghan people but we should not try to replace american or any other so called western powers here. In long term as far security is concerned it should be US, NATO and Afghan themselves should look after (India can help Afghan police and Army by providing training). We should initially help to rebuild basic infrastructure like what we are doing now. Otherwise we should keep monitoring the situation and see to it that we are in important circle of Afghan development. Being economic superpower does not mean we should interfear anything everthing happening around us. We have our own stake but not definitely everything is on our plate.
Re: We shoul help but:
by harish shankar on Dec 23, 2009 09:51 AM
agree with anup. our own backyard is full of mess and misery. we have to allievate our own people first. lets forget about playing bigger role. It is their mess they have clear it on thier own we can assist to an extent nothing more. these pep talks and praise are like making the goat drink water before it is slaughtered.. u know moooslim anything but trustworthy.. they will sway to china or iran when they get more apples from them.
The Congress government has no intention of engaging Afghanistan to further national interests, because of obvious electoral interests. It is only making a show of following up the projects initiated by the visionary NDA government after the Taliban's fall, so that it cannot be attacked by the opposition of neglecting national interests.
First of all, no one has ever defined the purpose of India's presence. If it spends money similar to big economic powers then it ought to have a purpose for it. It seems there is none nor one has been given. If it is simply to counter the influence of Pakistan then it is a lost cause.Even if the US/NATO leaves in 18 months how India will fill the vacuum in power there and with whose help?
Re: India & Afghanisthan
by Varun Shekhar on Dec 23, 2009 10:12 AM
With the help of the Afghan people, and the remaining foreigners like Japanese, Germans, French, Americans etc.
