Sam Plays It Loose

India’s marginalisation in the Afghan peace talks can bode ill for the country

- Pranay Sharma

AMERICA’S diplomatic clock on Afghanistan seems to be turning a full circle. Nearly two decades after the United States stitched up a multination coalition to throw out the Taliban in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks, the Donald Trump administration is making frantic efforts to bring the terrorist outfit to the negotiating table. His aim: to put up a framework for peace in the war-ravaged country that would enable him to pull out US troops.

But there is widespread fear that the US is conceding too much space to the Taliban, so that they are in a command­ ing position to shape Afghanistan’s fut­ure. The urgency on Washington’s part stems from Trump’s electoral promise of bringing US troops home by ending America’s longest war—a boost to his leadership credentials before he pre­ pares to seek a second term in 2020.

Interestingly, the American move has been endorsed by China and Russia. But what is worrying India and others most is the effort the three countries made to bring Pakistan firmly back in the Afghan game.

So far, Pakistan was held responsible for much of the instability and violence in Afghanistan; as a result, it was rele­ gated to the margins. But thanks to America’s eagerness to withdraw and Pakistan’s ability to deliver the Taliban to the talks­table, it appears to be back as a key arbiter on Afghan affairs. The US, China and Russia jointly welcomed Pakistan to a recent four­party consul­tation process that seeks to end the protracted war, with the Taliban in a menacing ascendancy. “China, Russia and the US welcomes