Six Afghan Children Among Those Killed in Botched Attack on Indian Consulate

Bailey Cahall | The AfPak Channel | At least nine Afghan civilians were killed and 24 were injured in Jalalabad on Saturday when three militants attempting to attack the Indian consulate were stopped at a checkpoint and opened fire on a crowded street before detonating a car bomb that ripped through a nearby mosque.  Six of the victims were children who had been studying the Koran inside the mosque.  India's Foreign Ministry confirmed that none of the consulate's staff members had been killed, and there appeared to be no link between the attack and the al-Qaeda threat alert that shuttered dozens of U.S. embassies over the weekend.  Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Afghan Taliban, denied involvement in the attack, causing suspicion to instead fall upon several Pakistan-based terrorist groups, including the Haqqani Network and Lashkar-e-Taiba. 

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Why a Dam in Afghanistan Might Set Back Peace

A $200 million dam project will divert water from Iran. Afghan officials say they have no plans to negotiate water rights with Iran.

Christian Science Monitor |Herat, Afghanistan - The water that grows western Afghanistan’s fresh produce, sprinkles its town parks with shade-giving trees, and slakes the thirst of war-weary Afghans, is becoming a point of tension with nearby Iran as a large dam under construction will constrict cross-border flow.

After nearly four decades of work, the Salma Dam – a $200 million project paid for and built by India, yet delayed by Afghanistan’s turbulent history of occupations, civil war, and insurgency – is slated to be finished by the end of 2014.

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India, Pakistan will play significant roles in Afghanistan: US

Afghanistan Sun | IANS | Wednesday 31st July, 2013 - As a new US defence department report suggested that the "zero option" in Afghanistan - a complete pullout of US troops - is unrealistic, a Pentagon official said India and Pakistan would play significant roles there in future.

"I think both Pakistan and India will play and ought to play very important, significant roles going forward in Afghanistan," Peter Lavoy, the Pentagon's top policy official on Afghanistan told reporters Tuesday in response to a question.

"Those countries and other immediate and nearby neighbours of Afghanistan are affected by the security conditions in Afghanistan," he said briefing reporters on Pentagon's twice-a-year report to Congress on "Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan."

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India, Pakistan Fear 'Surplus Terrorism' after Afghan Pullout

The Times of India | WASHINGTON - India and Pakistan fear that any instability in the war-torn Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US troops could result in "surplus terrorism" in both the countries, a top US official has said.

At the same time he said that the US believes both India and Pakistan will play significant roles in Afghanistan in the coming years.

"I think both Pakistan and India will play and ought to play very important, significant roles going forward in Afghanistan" said Peter Lavoy, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defence for Asia Pacific Security Affairs.

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China the Key to India's Afghan Puzzle

Asia Times | Monday 1st July, 2013 | China may be the key factor that India needs to balance what bill become an increasingly difficult Afghan equation after the planned US exit in 2014. Pakistan is the common denominator for both China and India in the emerging geopolitical calculus and Beijing has vast influence. READ MORE

Ex-President Musharraf to return to Pakistan this month

The AfPak Channel | Jennifer Rowland |  Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will return home on March 24 to run in the country's parliamentary elections after four years of self-imposed exile in Dubai, according to a spokesman for the former Army general (Reuters). Musharraf seized power in a military coup in 1999 and resigned from his post in 2008 facing threats of impeachment from opposition parties. Police in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta have arrested eleven children, ages 11 to 16, suspected of involvement in a bombing in January that killed 12 people (ET, Dawn). A police official said at a press conference on Wednesday that militants of the United Baloch Army, a banned Baloch separatist group, had exploited the children's poverty; they had admitted to receiving 3,000 rupees each for the roles they played. Also on Wednesday, two militants killed five paramilitary officers in Srinagar, the main city in Indian-administered Kashmir, before they, too, were shot and killed by other security forces (AFP, Reuters).  (READ MORE)

India Intensifies Engagement on Afghanistan on Margins of 67th UNGA

Afghanistan Sun (ANI)  | Friday 28th September, 2012 | Preparing for a scenario after the 2014 draw down of foreign forces from Afghanistan, India has intensified its engagement with regional and international stakeholders on the sidelines of the 67th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session.

India has been extremely active on the sidelines of various meetings related to Afghanistan, participating in five formal and informal interactions involving Afghanistan, where Indian officials have been major participants during the course of the week. (READ MORE)

India: A Bigger Role in Afghanistan on the Horizon?

Triangular meet between US, Afghanistan and India in New York this week signals that Washington may look to New Delhi to replace Islamabad in the stabilization effort.

Global Post | On India | Jason Overdorf | Beijing, New Delhi and Islamabad are wrangling for position in Afghanistan following the US drawdown, the always-interesting C. Raja Mohan writes in the Indian Express. The upshot: A first-ever triangular meeting between leaders from the US, India and Afghanistan this week sends yet another signal the US may look to replace Islamabad with New Delhi in its stabilization plans.

"China’s rising profile in Kabul and the prospects for Indo-US cooperation in Afghanistan are rooted in two important structural changes in our neighbourhood," Mohan writes. "One is the declining American military footprint in Afghanistan and the end to the US’s combat role there by 2014. The other is the growing international disappointment with Pakistan’s negative role in Afghanistan." ... (READ MORE)

First India-US-Afghan Tri Lateral Talks in New York

The Economic Times | 24 Sep, 2012, 01.36PM IST | WASHINGTON: The first tri-lateral dialogue between India, the US and Afghanistan would be held in New York on the sidelines of the 6th annual session of the UN General Assembly.

The first of its kind meeting between officials from India, the US and Afghanistan would be held at the level of deputy foreign minister, informed diplomatic sources familiar with the preparations of the meeting told PTI.

The announcement in this regard was made during the India-US Strategic Dialogue held in Washington early this year, which was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister SM Krishna and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

"Today we agreed to move forward with a formal trilateral consultation among our three nations," Clinton had said at a joint news conference on June 13.

The announcement was also reflected in the joint statement issued at the end of the strategic dialogue.

"To support their efforts in Afghanistan, they agreed to hold a trilateral dialogue with the Government of Afghanistan," said the joint statement.

However, both India and the US had clarified that the tri-lateral dialogue was not targeted against Pakistan, which has always been wary of New Delhi's role in Afghanistan.

Diplomatic sources pointed out that along with the India- Afghan-US trilateral dialogue, the United States would also hold another tri-lateral dialogue involving Pakistan, which would also be at the level of deputy foreign minister.

Launched at the start of the Obama Administration in early 2009, the Af-Pak-US tri-lateral dialogue was earlier held at the level of Foreign Minister.

[Source]

Daily Brief: India, Afghanistan sign strategic pact

From The AfPak Channel by Jennifer Rowland -

Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday signed a strategic partnership agreement -- Afghanistan's first such agreement -- which promises Indian training of Afghan security forces, as well as an increase in trade and cultural relations (WSJ, NYT, Post, AFP, BBC, AP). Five months in the making, the pact was finalized during Karzai's two-day trip to India, a country that has been one of Afghanistan's largest funding sources since 2001, having given nearly $2 billion in aid (Post). The move is likely to further alienate Pakistan from its neighbors, exacerbating tensions caused by Afghan accusations of Pakistani support for militants who have recently launched high-profile attacks within Afghanistan (NYT, AP, Reuters, ET). Karzai on Wednesday said that the pact is not meant as an aggressive move toward Pakistan, which he called "a twin brother," while terming India "a great friend" (ET,BBC, Reuters, AP).

The deputy head of Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security (NDS), Mohammad Yasin Zia, said Tuesday at a press conference that Pakistan has refused to cooperate in the country's investigation into the killing of former Afghan President and High Peace Council leader Burhanuddin Rabbani, and had refused to arrest Taliban leaders in Pakistan (AFP, AP, McClatchy). Zia said, "We want [the Taliban leaders] arrested and handed over to us. We have all their photos, home addresses and even their contact numbers. Our requests [to Pakistan] are very clear, but they are not helping us." Pakistan's Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and its ambassador to Afghanistan both rejected the claims and reaffirmed their support for the investigation, but recriminations between the two countries continue to demonstrate their deteriorating relationship (ET,AP, Reuters). Meanwhile, Reuters' Zhou Xin reports that China's intentions in Afghanistan are tied more to economic desires than to political motivations, meaning that many Chinese politicians wish to avoid taking on a military role in Afghanistan's future (Reuters).

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Afghanistan News - Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Afghan President Hamid Karzai meets Krishna - Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai met External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna here on Tuesday. (READ MORE)

ICRC: Afghan access to medical care critically low - The International Committee for the Red Cross says access to medical care in some parts of Afghanistan has reached a "critically low point" because of the deteriorating security situation. (READ MORE)

Pentagon treads carefully over Karzai's Taliban rebuff - The Pentagon believes a reconciliation process is needed in Afghanistan, spokesman says Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai appears to be pulling away from talks with the Taliban Programs are under way to encourage Taliban leaders and others to put down their arms. (READ MORE)

We want to contribute in rebuilding Afghanistan, says German Envoy - German Ambassador to India, Thomas Matussek, has said that Germany would play a larger role in the reconstruction efforts directed towards the Afghan civilians, apart from providing military assistance. (READ MORE)

Attacks emanating from Pak 'safe havens' biggest challenge: US commander in Afghanistan - General John Allen, the eighth US commander in charge of the war in Afghanistan, has said that the biggest challenge is the attacks on his troops by fighters coming from 'safe havens' in Pakistan. (READ MORE)

Karzai Will Hold Assembly To Decide New Peace Strategy - Afghan President Hamid Karzai has said he plans to hold a grand assembly of elders, or loya jirga, to decide the country's peace strategy in the near future. (READ MORE)

Stephen Smith in surprise Afghanistan visit - Afghanistan Defence Minister Stephen Smith has made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan where he has criticised the Taliban's recent tactics as a sign of weakness. (READ MORE)

Taliban release eight NGO workers abducted near Quetta in July - Eight aid workers belonging to a foreign non-governmental organisation (NGO) have been released by the Taliban in Pakistan's South Waziristan Agency. (READ MORE)

News Analysis: Afghan Leader's Death Exposes Peace Process in Disarray - In the two weeks since the leader of Afghanistan's peace process was assassinated, an intense power struggle has opened among the nation's ethnic groups - and within them - as well as among other powerful factions here, laying bare a crisis that is buffeting President Hamid Karzai from every side. (READ MORE)

America's counter-insurgency strategy in Afghanistan - More than 13,000 people have been wounded during the 10 years of the Afghanistan war. Mandy Clark reports on a Kabul Red Cross center that has been treating the war-wounded since 1988. (READ MORE)

Afghanistan - Pakistan News for Monday, October 3, 2011

Two killed in Afghan blast - Two people, including the bomber, were killed Monday in a suicide blast targeting Afghan troops in Kandahar, Xinhua reported. (READ MORE)

Pakistan rejects claim of ISI hand in Rabanni killing - Pakistan has rejected as 'baseless' Afghan Interior Minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi's assertion that its spy agency ISI was involved in the assassination of former president Burhanuddin Rabbani. (READ MORE)

Americans raid byways of Haqqani insurgents in Afghanistan - The first helicopter landed in the bluish gray gloom before dawn. More than 20 members of a U.S. reconnaissance platoon and Afghan troops accompanying them jogged out through the swirling dust, moving into a forest smelling of sage and pine. (READ MORE)

Karzai to brief Manmohan on new Taliban strategy - Afghan President Hamid Karzai comes here Tuesday on a two-day visit that will see New Delhi and Kabul firming up a crucial strategic partnership pact and expanding counter-terror cooperation. (READ MORE)

3 dead, 19 injured in suicide attack in Afghan town - A suicide attack that rocked Kandahar province, 450 km south of capital city Kabul, on Monday morning left three people, including the attacker, dead and 19 others injured, provincial police chief Abdul Raziq said. (READ MORE)

Angry Pakistan rejects Afghan charges on Rabbani - Pakistan has angrily rejected allegations from Afghan officials that its intelligence agency masterminded the assassination of Kabul's chief peace negotiator with the Taliban. (READ MORE)

Afghan women's right at risk - Women's rights in Afghanistan risk being forgotten as international troops withdraw and the government struggles for a peace deal 10 years after the Taliban were ousted, Oxfam said on Monday. (READ MORE)

Taliban won't support Pak blindly if US attacks, says commander - A top Tehrik-e-Taliban commander has said that his group will not blindly support Pakistan in the event of an attack by the US. (READ MORE)

'Pakistani' killed Afghan envoy - The Afghan government says its investigations show that the killer of Burhanuddin Rabbani, its negotiator with the Taliban, was a Pakistani. (READ MORE)

Afghan President Hamid Karzai to visit India - The President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, will be on a two-day visit to India beginning Tuesday at the invitation of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. (READ MORE)

Roadside bombs killed 9 Afghan army soldiers - A roadside bomb exploded near a patrolling convoy of the Afghan national army in south-eastern Afghanistan, killing nine soldiers and injuring four others, a government spokesman said Sunday. (READ MORE)

Gilani ready for talks with Taliban - For the first time, Gilani dropped his earlier pre-condition of militants giving up arms before any talks, but warned that if the parleys fail to work, the military will launch operations in the tribal areas. (READ MORE)

Pakistan rejects claim of ISI role in ex-Afghan Prez Rabbani's assassination - Pakistan has rejected Afghanistan's allegations that Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency was involved in the assassination of former Afghanistan President and High Peace Council leader Burhanuddin Rabbani. (READ MORE)

NATO Captures Senior Leader of Taliban Affiliate - NATO said they have captured a senior leader of the Haqqani network, which has aligned itself with the Taliban and al-Qaeda, in Afghanistan. (READ MORE)

Father of slain Canadian soldier to ‘make a difference’ in Afghanistan - Tim Goddard says his mission to Afghanistan next month is about completing a job his daughter started and would have wanted him to finish. (READ MORE)

Karzai Halts Peace Talks With Taliban Ahead Of Promised New Peace Strategy - Afghan President Hamid Karzai has halted all peace talks with the Taliban ahead of his promised announcement of a new peace strategy. (READ MORE)

Karzai Breaks Off Talks With The Taliban - In a surprising about-face, Afghan President Hamid Karzai appears to be abandoning his government's long-standing effort to hold peace talks with the Taliban in Pakistan, saying they aren't serious about negotiations. (READ MORE)