PM 2 LST

India has made it clear that it would continue to play a
role in the war-torn Afghanistan "with or without America" as
it has crucial stakes in the stability of the country on its
periphery.
Sources said India's policy on Afghanistan will be
determined by its own interests and not by what others do.
They noted that India and the US had common goals in
Afghanistan that the country should be stable, peaceful and
there should be no outside interference. But the question was
about reaching there, they said while emphasising the need for
coordination.
The comments came in the backdrop of a talk that the US
was planning to leave Afghanistan for which it was looking for
a strategy.
At one time, the US had talked about handing over the
security of Afghanistan to regional countries like Pakistan,
Iran and others.
This, however, could not happen because of the US' own
problems with Iran and internal situation in Kyrgyzstan.
Indian government believes that Pakistan would not be
entrusted with any prominent role in the affairs of
Afghanistan even though "some parts" of Pakistan would be used
by the US in Afghanistan.
About options that India has in case the US-led forces
quit Afghanistan, the sources said India will devise its
strategy according to the evolving situation and work with
those who matter. PTI