Taliban to figure in Indo-U.S. talks
Tuesday, September 12, 2000
By C. Raja Mohan

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 11. The surging forces of jehad in Afghanistan and
Pakistan, and their destabilising impact on the region are expected to
figure in the talks between the United States President, Mr. Bill Clinton,
and the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, in Washington later this
week. Informed sources here say that Indo-U.S. talks on the regional
situation over the last few months ``have broadened'' to focus on the
inextricable linkages between the forces of extremism in Afghanistan,
Pakistan and Kashmir. In the past, discussions between India and the U.S. on
regional issues focussed narrowly on nuclear proliferation, Indo- Pakistani
relations and the Kashmir dispute. But now a broader template that includes
the developments in Afghanistan has begun to shape the Indo-U.S. dialogue.
The American perception that the centre of international terrorism has
shifted from West Asia to Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the challenge India
faces in combating the forces of extremism being sponsored from its
neighbours to the west have created a new convergence of interests between
Washington and New Delhi. The Indo-U.S. Joint Working Group on
counter-terrorism has become the main forum for the exchange of views and
exploration of security cooperation between the two nations. Reflecting on
the forces of extremism in Afghanistan, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of
State for South Asia, Mr. Karl Inderfurth, recently said the Taliban was
``supplying jehadists, those who believe they will wage a holy war against
the infidels, whether it be in Central Asia, in Chechnya, or in Kashmir.''
The Clinton administration has been putting pressure on Pakistan to use its
influence with the Taliban to modify its policies and hand over Mr. Osama
bin Laden, Saudi dissident accused in the U.S. of masterminding the bombing
of American embassies in East Africa two years ago. The U.S. is also urging
Pakistan to reduce the cross- border terrorism in Kashmir and create an
appropriate atmosphere for resumption of the Indo-Pak dialogue, which
Washington is so keen on seeing. Until now, the American pressure has had
little impact on Islamabad's approach towards either India or Afghanistan.
New Delhi says there is no evidence of the reduction of Pakistan's support
to cross-border terrorism in Kashmir. Instead of working for a negotiated
peace settlement, the Taliban has launched a new military offensive in
northern Afghanistan. Militant groups backed by the Taliban have stepped up
attacks in Central Asia, particularly in the Fergana Valley shared by
Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Last week, Mr. Vajpayee reaffirmed in
New York the Indian refusal to engage Pakistan until it put an end to cross-
border terrorism. Mr. Vajpayee will try and convince Mr. Clinton that
without confronting the forces of extremism that have gripped Pakistan,
there can be no real peace and security in the region. Mr. Vajpayee would
also want to see more decisive action by the Clinton administration in
pressing Pakistan to see reason. His strong references against Pakistan's
proclaimed policy of jehad, in that sense, appear to be part of a calculated
strategy in New Delhi.