M A I N   N E W S

Jalalabad attack may cast shadow on Indo-Pak talks
Ashok Tuteja/TNS

New Delhi, August 4
The suicide attack on the Indian consulate in Jalalabad could not have come at a more inopportune time in India-Pakistan relations, given the fact that both countries are trying to put the dialogue process back on the track.

The attack, in which 12 Afghans were killed and more than 20 wounded, has also raised fears that Pakistan-based terror groups, covertly supported by Islamabad, are stepping up efforts to target Indian interests in the war-torn nation in the run-up to the withdrawal by foreign troops in 2014.

New Delhi has still not responded to Pakistan’s proposal for talks between the two neighbours on the Tulbul Navigation Project on August 27-28 and Sir Creek on September 16-17. It is learnt that the dates proposed by Pakistan have been sent to the ministries concerned for their response.

Sources said it was too early to say whether the Jalalabad incident could impact the process of resuming the third round of dialogue with Pakistan stalled since January this year.

New Delhi was awaiting fresh intelligence leads on the forces behind the Jalalabad attack, they said. However, it was more or less certain that Pakistan-based groups were involved in carrying out the attack.

The Pakistani establishment was quick to condemn the Jalalabad attack and dissociate itself from the incident. Islamabad, particularly, emphasised the fact that the Pakistani consulate in Jalalabad was in close vicinity of the Indian mission. “Terrorism is the common enemy that countries in the region face. Collective endeavours would help effectively combat this scourge,” the Pakistan High Commission said.

Some reports from Kabul, meanwhile, suggested that Saturday’s attack was planned by Pakistan intelligence agencies and executed by Afghan insurgent groups. The Indian Embassy in Kabul had issued a security advisory to its nationals in Afghanistan on July 17, indicating a high probability of a direct attack. In fact, there also was an apprehension that Indian envoy Amar Sinha could be targeted.

Pakistan’s vehement opposition to India’s massive role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan is all too well known. Pakistan-based groups, particularly the Haqqani network, have in the past too targeted Indian interests in the embattled nation.

Observers say Islamabad would probably ramp up its covert support for the Afghan Taliban to consolidate its influence across the border obviously keeping in mind the situation likely to unfold after the withdrawal by NATO troops.

It is still not clear whether new Pakistan Premier Nawaz Sharif is on board as far as the ISI’s strategy of hurting Indian interests in Afghanistan is concerned. Ever since he assumed office in early June, Sharif has declared his commitment to improving ties with India. The Afghan issue could also figure during the meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan singh and Nawaz Sharif in New York next month.

Anti-India offensive

• The attack on Indian mission has raised fears that Pakistan-based terror groups, covertly supported by Islamabad, are stepping up efforts to target Indian interests in the war-torn nation in the run-up to the withdrawal by foreign troops in 2014
• The incident has come at a time when the two countries are trying to put the dialogue process back on the track
• New Delhi has still not responded to Pakistan’s proposal for talks between the two neighbours on the Tulbul Navigation Project on August 27-28 and Sir Creek on September 16-17
• The dates proposed by Pakistan have been sent to the ministries concerned for their response