PM at Kremlin, Taliban on his mind

India, Russia To Focus On Pak’s ‘Unacceptable’ Rehab Of Terrorists In Af

Moscow: Signalling a strong convergence to protect their strategic stakes in Afghanistan, India and Russia are set to emphasize that Pakistan’s bid to rehabilitate Taliban is not an acceptable outcome post the US drawdown. 
    A “fundamental commonality” over combating terrorism is expected to be the focus of the joint statement to be issued on Monday after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’sbilateralsummitwith Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin. 
    India and Russia will not ink contracts for units 3 and 4 of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant — negotiations areheldupinlegalnitty-gritty — but will look to make up for the disappointment by leveraging a strategic confluence over the security scenario in Afghanistan. Speaking on background, a senior official said, “Any resurgence of regressive forces (seen as a code for Taliban) or extremism is not desirable. A chance to exchange views at the highest level is always helpful.” 
    As Singh and Putin share perceptions on Afghanistan, they are likely to agree that the US compulsion to leave the war-torn nation cannot come at the cost of India and Russia’s interests or those of other nations who have reasons to worry about increased instability in the region. 
    Experts have noted that the US’ need to move troops and military hardware out of Afghanistan would require Pakistan’s cooperation and the Pakistani military — and political leadership — sees an opportunity to install a friendly regime in Kabul. 
    The sensitivity of the unfolding Afghan scenario could be gauged by the official caution on Pakistan reducing violations of the ceasefire agreement along the line of control in Jammu & Kashmir after Singh’s recent meeting with PM Nawaz Sharif. 
    “Wewillhavetogiveittime to see how it works,” the official said when asked whether an exchange of information between the Indian and Pakistani Directors Generals of Military Operations was yielding results. 
    Singh, a veteran of meetings with Russian leaderships as he heads into his 10th summit, is expected to continue an almost unbroken dialogue with Putin. Singh has been able to reach back to his exchanges with Putin that go back to 2004 as he prepared to meet the Russian strongman. 
    The security dialogue is likely to make up for a sparse clutch of agreements as Singh and Putin consider the implications of US’ hunt for a political solution that allows it to make a relatively bloodless exit from Afghanistan. 
    Both India and Russia have reasons to worry about Pakistan’s dogged bid to play on United States’ vulnerabilities to regain “strategic depth” in Afghanistan. which has included an attempt to negotiate with Taliban.

PM Manmohan Singh during a welcoming ceremony in Moscow on Sunday