The Bush administration feels that India has played a positive role in Afghanistan but has had to route its relief to Kabul through Iran as Pakistan sees New Delhi's role in the region as being inimical to its interests.
According to senior administration official Eric Edelman, "Pakistan has regarded Afghanistan for some time as part of its strategic depth vis-a-vis India. And so, I think it's really very deeply ingrained in the, sort of, strategic culture in Pakistan."
He was replying to a question from Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, who pointed out the positive role that India is playing and New Delhi's assistance to Kabul, much of it routed through Iran.
"I understand that the Indian government is providing significant resources, which is a bone of contention with the government of Pakistan, for obvious reasons. Talking to Pakistan officials about Afghanistan, it seems their greatest fear is India not the Taliban, not anything else," Senator Reed noted at the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Afghanistan.
When asked as to what extent can the US talk to the Pakistanis about allowing the Indians support to Afghanistan, Edelman said, "I have taken it up with my Pakistani counterparts from time to time. It is, as you say, a very sensitive issue. For Pakistanis, Afghanistan has been regarded for some time as part of their strategic depth vis-à-vis India. And so I think it's really very deeply ingrained in the, sort of, strategic culture in Pakistan."
"And some of what we see in terms of persistent ties at lower levels that sometimes may affect the ability of President Pervez Musharraf to even implement those things that he has agreed to. And in that sense, an Indian role in Afghanistan is seen in that light, and therefore is inimical to Pakistan's national security," he added.
"So it's an issue that we do take up with them, because obviously India can play and should play a helpful role. I've discussed it with my Indian colleagues when I was there hosting our under secretary-level discussions in November. And I'll be having a similar discussion with Pakistan in April," he remarked.
"I have the impression, when I'm travelling through Pakistan particularly that they have a very real fear of being encircled by the Indians, which, to most observers, seems to be ridiculous. However, it is very real out there. And many of their policies might have little to do with Taliban, Al Qaeda or anything else, Karzai, etc. It is the old great game between the Indians and the Pakistanis," Senator Reed maintained.
