India in Afghanistan

For those who are too young, India and Pakistan fought a war, a real military war in 1965. Pakistan invaded India with a massive tank attack based on an old WW2 plan that the German General Rommel used in North Africa- it was a blitzkrieg. India countered it as it was taken by surprise, stopped it and then counterattacked crossing the Pakistan border, which really freaked them out before peace was sought.

Ever since, both countries have hated one another. Both have nuclear weapons. At various times since, they seem to be almost casual friends, then, something happens or someone speaks wrongly of the other, then, it returns to what it is - a stand off, a tolerance of discontented neighbors. They just do like nor trust one another.

Now, the U.S. is asking India to become more involved in Afghanistan as the NATO forces dwindle down. Part of the reason is because of the same distrust between the U.S. and Pakistan that continues to nosedive. Like India and Pakistan, America and Pakistan do not really trust one another. There must be a pattern here. Yes, Pakistan has the problem. Their government is a ripoff one, one that feeds off others and fails to hold their end of an agreement. They have a punkish attitude because they have nuclear weapons. They have an insecurity complex.

Now, India may become more involved in Afghanistan, which has become a good friend. Yes, Afghanistan and Pakistan also do not really like one another, either. All because Pakistan will not remove the Taliban from their Northwestern areas. Internally, they, themselves are afraid of the terrorists also. India is already training some Afghanistan soldiers or policemen in India and already has investments in Afghanistan.

Pakistan still refuses to open the supply routes that were used send supplies. They continue to take billions in aid and think they can "flip the bird" towards America. Most US government officials are sick of the lopsided relationship and engaging India will help both the U.S. and India until NATO troops are gone in 2014.

One can see, though, where it might lead. More disaster between Pak and India, given their history. Both countries still dispute the Kashmir region and Pakistan probably be even more provocative towards Afghanistan if India's presence was large. The ISI would probably support even more Taliban attacks in Afghanistan.