Repeated meetings India and US administration shows that both nations reaching something consensus. US want India something more in Afghanistan. Actually, US and India want Pakistan completely wipe out in Afghanistan. US administration wants India provides more active participation (active military presence) in Afghanistan but India till now reluctant of this point. US know that India is big military power and can do more in Afghanistan. Now, Mattis is coming to India for two day to talk with PM Modi and new Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman discusses the regional issues and terrorism.
Recently, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson held a bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly meeting probably they discuss current issues. India recently demands that experts find out the truth between nuclear nexus Pakistan and North Korea.
Tillerson also expressed US' appreciation for India's important contributions toward Afghanistan's democracy, stability, prosperity, and security," As well as Trump said "We appreciate India's important contributions to stability in Afghanistan, but India makes billions of dollars in trade with the United States, and we want them to help us more with Afghanistan, especially in the area of economic assistance and development," (both are going on but he wants something different).
After Doklam issue India intelligentsia has perception that in future India and China can move towards war and Pakistan can use this opportunity. That’s why India army chief said "The Indian Army is completely ready for a two-and-a-half front war”. India has bitter experience with China and Pakistan. Bitterness increased when International rating agency downgrade China rating and Pakistan is isolating from the world. These developments in the region create new atmosphere and threat towards India.
Actually during the Doklam Standoff Russia’s position was neutral but India wanted more from Russia . Russia has some diplomatic restrictions it can’t openly take India side. As well as Russia don’t have any problem of China as an emerging power (except some issues). Actually, Russia needs China to maintain the balance against America in the world politics. But US see China as a threat in the region and India has same perception towards China that’s why India and US are more working closely. I think both India and US both are playing diplomatically cards in this region. However, both countries has own interest in the region but somehow they are same. We know that Trump’s agenda “Make America Great Again” and “first American interest” American has big threat of terrorism till now Americans not forget 9/11 and its link to Afghanistan. Americans annoyed because Pakistan not doing enough job. Pakistan’s problem is that it wants to take revenge from India that’s why Pakistan’s land has become havens for terrorism. As we know India needs big American support in the region to contain the China and Pakistan. India’s big diplomatic win we can see when Trump administration has given ultimatum to Pakistan and criticized Pakistan for providing “safe havens to terrorist organisations” and warned Islamabad it had much to lose by supporting insurgents battling the U.S.-backed Kabul government. And also in BRICS summit all nations warn Pakistan over supporting terrorism. “Trump’s policy of engaging India and threatening action may actually constrain Pakistan and lead to the opposite of what he wants,” said Zahid Hussain, a Pakistani security analyst. Trump’s new strategy in Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and North Korean these issues rebalance the strategy of America in the region. And India is almost ready to participate in the strategy.
The views expressed above belong to the author(s).