India should recapture the verve in its relationship with Iran and Russia, and change its outlook on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
The trilateral consultations among the United States, Pakistan and Afghanistan, held in Washington on May 7-8, offer a rare moment of truth about regional security and stability. In hosting the event, the U.S. had three main objectives: to get Kabul and Islamabad to work together closely; to reiterate the Obama administration’s commitment that it would not “cut and run” from the war in Afghanistan, which is otherwise far from generating optimism; and to launch the trilateral consultations format as part of the U.S.’ new Afghan strategy.
The U.S. spokesman portrayed the talks, involving top diplomats and military and intelligence officials, as “very constructive” and “very substantive.” The concrete decisions taken at the conclave include continuance of the cross-border (Pashtun) Jirga process involving the governments and civil societies, opening of two Border Coordination Centres in Kandahar and FATA, the launch of a Regional Infrastructure and Trade Development Initiative and the scheduling of the next trilateral consultations “for this fall.” Equally, the statement of intention to pursue within this year the finalisation of a new Afghan-Pakistan transit trade treaty to replace the 1965 agreement and, secondly, to pursue a (Afghan-Pakistan) Joint Action Plan “outlining areas of common concern on issues of counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, law enforcement, border security and management, and rule of law and to look for ways to increase cooperation” merits attention for its long-term strategic implications (emphasis added).
http://newageislam.com/the-new-big-game-in-south-central-asia---/war-on-terror/d/1404
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