Author:
Publication: Rediff.com
Date: March 18, 2009
URL: http://world.rediff.com/news/article/www/news/2009/mar/18there-is-nothing-like-good-taliban-india.htm
[Note from the Hindu Vivek Kendra: The same
principle should applied by the Indian government in dealing with the Islamic
fundamentalists in India.]
As it prepares to participate in two international
conferences on Afghanistan, India on Wednesday cautioned against treating
any section of Taliban as "good", in an apparent message to the
United States, which has expressed readiness to hold talks with "moderate"
militia.
Maintaining that it would be unwise to negotiate
with Taliban and leave people to their mercy, sources in New Delhi said efforts
should instead be made to strengthen the age-old tribal structures which are
still intact in Afghanistan.
The situation in Afghanistan, over which world
concerns are growing because of resurgence of Taliban, will be discussed at
the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Moscow on March 27 and a conference
in The Hague later this month.
India is expected to be represented by the
Prime Minister's Special Envoy S K Lambah at the SCO meeting. Some high-ranking
official will also be attending The Hague meet.
At these meetings, India will present its
prescription for stabilisation of Afghanistan, which would include giving
thrust to developmental initiatives besides military and security components
in creating a zone of peace.
India feels that efforts should be made to
create 'secure areas' and promote developmental activities in such areas,
a process that would alienate the Taliban.
New Delhi disfavours any negotiations with
Taliban, either in Afghanistan or Pakistan, saying there are no good elements
in the fundamentalist militia as is claimed by some sections.
"There is no good Taliban or bad Taliban.
Leaving people at the mercy of Taliban is no solution," the sources said,
adding negotiations with Taliban will serve no purpose.
The comment is a veiled message to the US,
which has expressed willingness to hold talks with "moderate" Taliban.
"The old tribal structures still work
in Afghanistan and they have no place for Taliban or other extremists,"
the sources said, suggesting a three-pronged approach covering development,
security and governance for the region.
They cited the successful development projects
undertaken by India in Afghanistan by engaging the local people there, who
tend to defend the initiatives as they are results of the suggestions of the
tribals.
The sources pointed out that the local tribal
structures in Pakistan were systematically destroyed by the ISI and this could
be a hindrance in engaging local population in development work there.
Significantly, Iran has also been invited
for The Hague conference, which is spearheaded by the US.