The new Great Game explained

The Indian point of view:

NEW DELHI: Terrorism, as expected, took centrestage in the meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai on Monday with both leaders not mincing words in denouncing the menace. Singh, in fact, described the recent bombing outside the Indian embassy in Kabul as an attack on the friendship between India and Afghanistan. While Singh said that the two countries would not allow terrorism to stand in their way, Karzai stated that Afghanistan would back India “resolutely” in fighting the menace of terrorism.

Almost as if to prove the point, Singh also announced a fresh aid of $450 million for Afghanistan saying that the money would be utilized for carrying out ongoing as well as forthcoming projects in the country. However, sources said most of the money was likely to be pumped into technology, education and culture and not infrastructure...

Karzai flew into Delhi on Sunday evening from Colombo where he had gone to attend the Saarc summit. While the two sides agreed with each other on terrorism, there was significantly no announcement of any cooperation between them on defence and security. Experts believe that this is largely because the US is not likely to entertain any such pact as it will give Pakistan, which is still looked upon by the Americans as an ally in fighting terrorism, an opportunity to raise a hue and cry [emphasis addeed].

Pakistani PM Yousuf Raza Gilani, in fact, said in Colombo that his meeting with Karzai had helped in reducing tension with Afghanistan as also in "dispelling apprehensions and misunderstandings" between the two countries. Gilani also said that he and Singh had expressed the desire to solve all bilateral disputes in their meeting. Clearly, US would not want Pakistan driven up the wall at this juncture. Singh also announced the completion of a crucial infrastructure project in western Afghanistan — the road from Zaranj to Delaram — and said that it would be handed over shortly to the Afghan government. "The road is a symbol of our cooperation with Afghanistan and a tribute to the precious Indian and Afghan lives that were lost in making this project a reality," Singh said.

On his part, Karzai said the two countries had no option but to remain united against terrorism.

"Afghanistan and India indeed share the interests of peace and stability in the two countries, in the region, and in the larger world. India and Afghanistan are facing the challenges of terrorism, of cold-blooded, brutal murderous activity in our two countries. And we recognise that the two countries and the world at large have no option but to be united in fighting the menace of terrorism as it affects us and affects the international community," Karzai said.

More on the Game here.