“What is India doing in Afghanistan?” That is the subject of one of the cables from the US embassy here, obtained by WikiLeaks, regarding India’s engagement with yet another neighbour.
The cable, dated February 3, 2010, reveals US concern if either India or Pakistan decide to step up their military assistance to Afghanistan.
The US embassy here has expressed 'serious reservations and deep longer-term concerns regarding increased training in the military assistance areas by either India or Pakistan', the cable notes, adding, “This provides a sensitive area of potential conflict rather than cooperation and introduces a ‘hedging mechanism’ in the longer term.”
“India also appears intent on increasing its so-far limited military assistance to Afghanistan,” it says, adding, “India currently provides a variety of training to the Afghan National Army personnel in various Indian Army training venues, including staff college (sic).”
It notes that MEA officials told US embassy officials that the numbers undergoing training are expected to rise.