India should be informed of the developments in the peace process for which the U.S. is taking Pakistan’s help

• In recent weeks, a new policy conundrum has emerged for the U.S. as it attempts to help launch a peace process in Afghanistan.
• Soon after the U.S. government formally requested Pakistan’s assistance to bring the Taliban to the table, Islamabad helped facilitate meetings between senior Taliban representatives and U.S. officials in Abu Dhabi.
• The U.S. government appears to be acknowledging that Pakistan, given its influence over the Taliban, is an important and potentially helpful player in the peace process in Afghanistan.
• However, it has also signalled its desire for India, its growing defence partner, to be more involved in reconciliation efforts and in Afghanistan more broadly.
• Herein lies the dilemma: the U.S. cannot have it both ways. If Pakistan is enlisted in reconciliation efforts, India won’t be keen to get involved.
• But if India does take on a larger role, then Pakistan may well step back.
• To be sure, India and Pakistan have proved to be willing and able to partner regionally.
• Of course, partnering in Afghanistan is much more delicate and challenging.
• Fortunately for the U.S., this policy dilemma may work itself out on its own. Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s desire for a more robust regional foreign policy, India appears content to keep a low profile in Afghanistan, outside of its continued development and economic assistance projects.
• Tellingly, New Delhi has distanced itself from the Indian Army Chief’s remark supporting talks with the Taliban with no preconditions.
• Still, it is important that India not be left on the outside looking in amid efforts to spark a reconciliation process with such major implications for it.
• Accordingly, the U.S. should keep India fully informed, at the highest levels, about any developments in reconciliation.

The Hindu