US and South Asian Politics

Why in news?

• Six rockets were launched near Kabul airport by terrorist elements, coinciding with the Kabul visit of U.S. Defence Secretary.
• Notably, the US had unveiled their new South Asian policy.

What are the highlights of the policy?

• The US is planning to send about 3,000 more troops to Afghanistan to enhance military and security conditions.
• Despite increasing US presence, it stresses on the responsibility of the Afghan leadership to step up and fully own the war with time.
• Also, the US for the first time openly criticised Pakistan for being soft on terror.
• It also stressed on India’s positive role and asked for its increased collaboration with US in Afghanistan.

What enhanced role will India play?

• Indian help has been sought in Afghan with primary focus in the areas of economic assistance and development.

• India has decided to take up 116 “high-impact community developmental projects” in 31 provinces of Afghanistan.
• Recently, four attack helicopters were gifted by India to Kabul.
• India has promised training for Afghan police to fight terrorism, organised crime, trafficking of narcotics and money laundering.

How has Pakistan been marginalised?

• Mr. Trump had made it clear that Washington could no longer be silent about Pakistan’s safe havens for terrorist organisations.
• This comes at a time when New Delhi is actively leading a global campaign to tag Islamabad as a state sponsoring terror.
• The Xiamen BRICS declaration earlier this month also listed Pakistan-based terror organisations for the first time.
• These developments have forced Pakistan’s government to admit that groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba are a threat for all.

How has India - U.S ties strengthened?

• China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region is a shared concern for both India & US.
• Both reiterated the critical importance of freedom of navigation and unimpeded lawful commerce in the global commons.
• Washington is no longer shying about selling sensitive military technologies to India.
• The sale of 22 Sea Guardian Unmanned Aerial Systems, was announced recently.
• With this, the Indian Navy will acquire what is currently the world’s most advanced maritime reconnaissance drone.
• Also, other global theatres like South China Sea have also provided India and US avenues to cooperate.
• The challenge will be to sustain the present momentum.

Source: The Hindu