Vajpayee-Putin talks to focus on U.S. tactics

By Atul Aneja

NEW DELHI, NOV. 2. The fallout of the shift in United States' war tactics in Afghanistan and the promotion of bilateral ties in the political, economic and security spheres are expected to be the focus of talks between the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the Russian President, Mr. Vladimir Putin, in Moscow next week.

Sources here point out that with a fresh understanding between Russia and the U.S. on Afghanistan on the horizon, the Prime Minister's upcoming dialogue with Mr. Putin is expected to acquire entirely a new flavour.

Most of these developments in the war against terrorism which are still unfolding, observers here see, may help promote India's larger interests in the region including Afghanistan.

Sources in the Government pointed out that India had closely monitored Thursday's talks between the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Mr. Richard Armitage, and the Russian first Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. Vyacheslav I. Trubnikov, and evaluated its repercussions on itself.

For the first time, the U.S., after these talks, acknowledged that the Taliban of any hue should not find a place in a future government in Afghanistan. This is a position that is identical to the one advocated by India, Iran and Russia for some time. In fact, India had made the unacceptability of accommodating ``moderate Taliban'' in a future Afghan government clear during talks last month with the visiting U.S. Secretary of State, Gen. Colin Powell.

Second, Russia and the United States, as of now, appear to have bridged their emerging differences on the ongoing Afghan campaign. Both sides, the sources say, have reached an understanding to promote full-scale ground operations by spring next year. During winter, when ground operations in Afghanistan are difficult, both sides are expected to keep up the ``low intensity'' warfare alive.

Sources pointed out that the differences between the Russians and the Americans were beginning to widen after the U.S. apparently began to cultivate the leaders of the Uzbeks in the Northern Alliance, Gen. Rashid Dostum. The Russians saw this move as an attempt by the U.S. to splinter the alliance.

Third, Mr. Vajpayee is visiting Moscow at a time when the U.S. appears to have decided to bolster the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance more forcefully. In fact, sources here pointed out that the ``centre of gravity'' in the war against terrorism may have already shifted from southern Afghanistan, on Pakistan's periphery, to the north.

To facilitate this, the U.S. has obtained rights to fly its warplanes over Azerbaijan and Armenia. This is necessary for further concentrating aerial bombardment of the northern areas of Afghanistan from military bases, for instance, in Turkey, a long- term trusted U.S. ally.

With the war scenario transforming rapidly, Mr. Vajpayee's talks with Mr. Putin are expected to look at new opportunities which may be on the way for promoting Indian interests in Afghanistan and Jammu & Kashmir. With the U.S. and Russia listening to each other better, it might be easier for India to find a prominent political niche in the post-Taliban phase, sources said. The tactical proximity between Moscow and Washington on the war against terrorism may also open yet another channel for highlighting India's concerns for making the war against terrorism comprehensive.

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