Regional approach to ensure South Asia security: Iran

New Delhi: The Twin conferences first held in Istanbul ( on 26th January) and the second held later in London (on 28th January) in order to tackle the fast deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, as well as in Pakistan (both clubbed together as Af-Pak area by US strategists and war commanders in view of their intricate and mutually exacerbating Taliban menace), have failed to make any positive impact with some of the NATO countries themselves already doubtful of the outcome. Though the area, in question, was immediately adjacent to Iran on the west and India on the East, these conferences did not even attempt to address the concerns of both these countries. Ironically the said terrorism has not only been spilling over in both the said countries but these are being also targeted by terrorists to disrupt their governmental and financial activities. Strange though it may appear, India was specifically excluded from the Istanbul Conference (though now regretted by the host government of turkey) and Iran did not attend the London conference, as the text of agreement was allegedly prepared beforehand by the numerically dominating countries though their distant concerns could hardly outweigh the concerns of India and Iran.

The declared time of US quitting military action in Afghanistan by July 31, 2011 and the strategy laid down in London Conference of stitching up a political reconciliation with moderate Talibans and integrating them in government administration along with tribal chiefs and even some of warlord's looks puzzling. How could this change the economic conditions of Afghans and transform the society away from extremism. Thus situation may soon lurch towards terrorism.


Thus emboldened, the Taliban and LeT outfits in Pakistan along with roguish elements in Pakistan army, ISI as well as civilian administration have overshadowed the India-Pak peace talks even though Pakistan is being driven to the edge of instability by repeated terrorist attacks in its financial capital of Karachi and in other places across the country. Awakened to a sense of security concern for the area, Iran has vocally come out in favour of these talks ready to facilitate a positive outcome. The government in Pakistan should also deal ruthlessly with the situation, as the state of Pakistan is also under serious threat with consequences that may be difficult to assess in their volatile situation.


Iran has thus come out strongly against the US exit strategy with Iran's envoy Seyed Mehdi Nabizadeh saying on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of Islamic Revolution in Iran that "We don't believe in good or bad Taliban" adding that "From 2001, foreign forces have been in Afghanistan with three aims: stop growing narcotics, fight terror and establish security in the region and none of these have been realized". According to his views the neighbouring countries "were duty-bound to provide peace and stability in Afghanistan. The "US surge operations" planning drone attacks in Pakistan tribal area may only prove to be a cover for US and NATO forces to retreat without harassment by the Taliban.


The Obama administration and its Afghan allies are thus now mainly focused on exploiting the fissures between the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, as new details have emerged about the tense relationship between the two networks. Besides, according to the US approach, ideological and personality differences markedly exist between the two. While Taliban is an indigenous movement composed mostly of ethnic Pashtuns focused on power in their homebase in Afghanistan and across the border in Pakistan, the Al-Qaeda leadership is almost entirely Arab and the outfit is fighting a global struggle for supremacy and security of islam. How this difference will ultimately unfold is yet unpredictable. But it clearly shows that in the concluding stage of US intervention in Afghanistan, the US action is mainly Al-Qaeda centre that concerns terrorist attacks across the globe endangering US interests. And the Taliban may be seriously seeking the destruction of the state of Pakistan.


A regional framework by involving India, Iran, China and Russia to ensure stability in this area in the long- run may prove to be a dire necessity. Hints to this effect had already been dropped by Obama while finalizing a "re-set" of relationship with Russia and later seeking China to share partly the burden of South Asia. As the situation may undergo a sea change, it may be better to engage also with South Korea and Japan and adopt a constructive approach to the situation that may be in the largest interest of Asia.