WIKILEAKS-TALIBAN 2LST

Noting that Afghanistan has the potential to prosper as a
hub or transit point for energy, agriculture and trade if it
could be connected to its natural market in India, Rao said it
was unfortunate that Pakistan does not allow this to happen.
The Foreign Secretary, asked US to apply pressure on
Pakistan to stop supporting the Afghanistan Taliban and to
allow Afghanistan to develop through trade and commercial
links.
"Holbrooke responded that Pakistan views certain Taliban
groups, particularly the Quetta Shura, as an insurance policy
to protect its strategic interests in Afghanistan and it is
not clear that anyone can easily influence Pakistan to turn on
these groups, although the US is exerting tremendous
pressure," the cable said.
Rao said she was alarmed at this continued Pakistan
support for terrorist groups, noting that the LET was
"ideologically fused" with both the Quetta Shura and the
Haqqani network.
As evidence, she pointed to the Haqqani group's 2008
bombing of the Indian Embassy in Kabul.
"She was also disturbed at the length to which Pakistan
had gone to exclude India from the Istanbul conference on
Afghanistan, citing it as an example of unwarranted Pakistani
insecurity over Indian intentions in Afghanistan," it said.
Citing the US Government's own difficulties in dealing
with the Pakistan government, Holbrooke suggested that many
people overestimate the US influence in Pakistan.
During the meeting, Rao alleged that Pakistan is clearly
trying to "stir the pot" in northern Indian state Kashmir.
"In her view, Pakistan is trying to deflect attention to
its eastern border from the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, where
the focus ought to be," the cable said.
Rao argued India has not turned its back to Pakistan but
needs some Pakistani progress on terrorism to reengage.
"Holbrooke noted that India and Pakistan working together
is obviously in the interests of the region and the
international community," the cable added. PTI