India Does Not Need Anyone To Give It An Afghan Role. It Has One By Virtue Of Its History.

Ambassador Satinder ‘Sati’ Lambah was the key negotiator in the famous ‘back channel’ diplomacy with Pakistan that brought them to the doorstep of a famous breakthrough on Kashmir. Fast-paced developments in the region in the past weeks have yet again brought back focus on Kashmir and India-Pakistan relations. He spoke to Pranay Sharma on what is still possible. Exceprts from the interview.

- Pranay Sharma

US President Donald Trump recently came out with his new Afghan policy. How different is it?

Basically, his Afghan policy has three or four points. It is the first public rebuke of Pakistan by a US President, hence the pressure on Pakistan. Also it is clear there will be no early withdrawal from Afghanistan and stern measures on counter-­terrorism. And he talks of an unspecified, economic role for India; a greater role for India.

No US president had publicly criticised Pakistan so far, but Trump is doing it. What is its significance?

The Americans, with whom I have dealt for long on Afghanistan, were always upset with Pakistan’s role. There has also been some public criticism of Pakistan, as in the Kerry-Luger Bill and other things. But the important aspect is how they are going to do it. No deadlines have been fixed, as far as the word goes, he seems to be clear that he means action. I think we will wait to see what will be done.

President Trump is also linking Pakistan’s action to aid that is provided to it?

This has been there even earlier in the Kerry-Luger Bill. But coming straight from the President, this means there are ind­ications that he means he would take some positive steps. But we have to see what he does.

Trump also talks about more space for India in Afghanistan. Whereas earlier, US presidents seemed hesitant about this, since most accepted Pakistan’s primacy on Afghan affairs and gave it almost veto rights to overrule New Delhi’s act­ivities in the country. Is that a shift?