India has promised help to Afghanistan in establishing its national army, with training programs. An assurance was given by defense minister George Fernandes to the visiting Afghan deputy defence minister, General Abdul Rashid Dostum. Dostum, who also called on foreign secretary Chokila Iyer, expressed his country’s gratitude for the help it received from India. The two sides discussed possibilities of cooperation in a wide range of areas including health, education, agriculture and information technology.
Now that's gonna frost the Paks. It may frost some of the Pashtun, though. Some of them would rather work with the US, others leaning toward Iran. That will be the test, actually -- if Ismail Khan participates the chances of this working out soar.
Posted by lakefxdan 2/1/2002 10:32:03 AM |