With reference to “India eyes $1 trillion fortune in Afghan mining hotbed” (June 17), I wonder if India is at all in a position to involve itself in such ventures. Given the volatile nature of Afghanistan’s internal politics, where the northern tribes are engaged in a desperate battle for control with the Taliban, and the ramifications of the international military forces present in that country, it is surprising that Mining Minister B K Handique is talking of India’s keenness to tap the opportunity. The government has already put Indian workers engaged in development works in Afghanistan at great risk from attacks by the Taliban. Many have died and many have been taken hostage. Neither Delhi nor the authorities in Kabul — one may ask if Hamid Karzai is really in charge—have been able to protect the Indian embassy. Even guesthouses where Indians stay have come under attack, killing some visiting artistes. In the circumstances, for India to talk of involving itself in mining operations in that country is rank foolishness.
What is even more curious is the release of the report by the CIA on Afghanistan’s mineral wealth at a time when the US and its European allies are clearly weary of the war they cannot win and are setting timetables for a pullout. According to British newspaper reports, Prime Minister David Cameron is determined to disentangle the UK from the Afghan war and is expected to announce a schedule for pulling out his troops. Britons are angry with the previous Labour governments for getting the UK engaged in a futile war and defence analysts say that eventually Britain will have just a few military trainers and support staff in Afghanistan. Why then should India walk into the Afghan trap, specially when it will have to face a hostile Taliban who are completely allied with Pakistan? Delhi needs to be cautious and it should engage in a public debate before getting enmeshed in the pursuit of what can only be termed fool’s gold.
K P Radhamani, Thiruvanthapuram