Indian Army will impart military training to Afghan troops

April 27: After their involvement in massive reconstruction projects in the country, Indian Army is ready to send its troops to Afghanistan to assist them in various training exercises carried by the armed forces. With that troopers seem to be going global.

Official sources from army headquarters here in New Delhi confirmed that the Indian Army might send few of its best men, with expertise in artillery, infantry and related disciples besides English language experts to Afghanistan next month.

“After proper permission from the quarters, we are certainly looking forward to assist armed forces within Afghanistan, which might prove counter productive in checking Taliban activities�, said a top official on conditions of anonymity as.

As the country indulges in the reconstruction process of its ally during peaceful times, the experts are cautious and want the assistance to be limited to infrastructure rather than military help. “Instead of getting involved in the maintenance of peace within the country, we should concentrate on reconstruction as it might create problems for us,� said a former Indian ambassador to Afghanistan while talking to a news channel.

Before Russian invasion in 1979, Afghanistan was supposed to be closer to Hindu India than to Muslim Pakistan. After invasion the equation between Afghanistan with its neighbours observed a marked shift and the country moved closer to Pakistan than India, as the later is known as the traditional ally of Russia. During fierce fighting between Afghans, backed by U.S, through Pakistan and Russia, Pakistan’s military establishment played a vital role in arms training of Afghans.

After U.S forces dethroned Talibans and Hamid Karzai took over as the President of Afghanistan, the leader is interested in developing closer ties with India and never minces words while blaming Pakistan for supporting Taliban fugitives.

Till now, it was between Pakistan and U.S, but as India jumps into the training of armed forces of Afghanistan, loyalties and expectations might change and India’s traditional rival – Pakistan, might feel the heat.