India eyes on Afghan endgame, Manmohan plans trip to Kabul

With Osama bin Laden's killing has left India nervous about the endgame in Afghanistan and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is ready for a short-notice visit to Kabul in this regard. Sources indicated that the trip may take place as early as next week, considering that is the "immediate window" available as the PM will be leaving for Ethiopia and Tanzania from May 23. The Indian mission in Afghanistan has been intimated that they should be ready for the visit in "48-hour notice" at best. Also, visas for the 20-member media contingent traveling with the Prime Minister have been obtained. Though Singh has been planning the visit to Afghanistan for sometime now, the recent developments there as well as the killing of Bin Laden have "brought a sense of immediacy to the whole thing". Post-bin Laden, New Delhi has set its nervous eyes on the endgame in Afghanistan and the role of Pakistan after early withdrawal of the western forces. There are serious concerns in Indian diplomatic circles about any role of Pakistan in Afghanistan after Bin Laden killing. Singh's last visit to Afghanistan was in 2005. With $1.2 billion in aid, India is one of the biggest donors for the reconstruction of that country. Post-bin Laden, New Delhi has set its nervous eyes on the endgame in Afghanistan and the role Pakistan is trying to have in the event of an early withdrawal of the western forces. Official sources are hopeful of the US not "repeating" the mistake of leaving Afghanistan in a hurry, the way they did after the Soviet exit from that country in the late 1980's. There are serious concerns about "any disproportionate" role Pakistan would have in the Taliban reintegration process, the Hindustan Times reported Sunday. India offers support to President Hamid Karzai and the people for a "stable, peaceful, prosperous and pluralistic Afghanistan"; it also holds that "the gains the war on terror has brought since 2001 should not be frittered away", sources explained. India will be keenly watching the developments in Afghanistan that has "direct national security impact" for India. The Prime Minister will hold talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai that are expected to cover bilateral relations, India's assistance program and regional problems like terrorism. Sources said some announcements are likely to be made during the visit that will demonstrate India's continued commitment to support in the development and reconstruction of Afghanistan. These could include infrastructure and social projects. The visit is taking place at the invitation of Karzai, who has been here a number of times, the latest being in February this year. India has been maintaining that it supports a stable and peaceful Afghanistan which is backed by the Afghans themselves, including reintegration of Taliban elements who give up the path of violence and abide by the Constitution.

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