NEW DELHI, December 13: India has indicated its disagreement with American pressure on Afghanistan to sign the bilateral security agreement (BSA), which will limit the number of western troops in the war-torn country after 2014.
On his fifth visit in three years, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai discussed the issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, following which Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said the Indian approach was not to pressurise, and refrain from being intrusive and judgemental on the issue.
“We are confident Mr. Karzai is a sagacious and wise leader. We will do whatever is best for the people of Afghanistan and in accordance with India’s approach with Afghanistan; we will support it,” Mr. Akbaruddin said. Government sources pointed out that an inference about India’s position could be drawn from these observations.
According to Afghanistan Ambassador Shaida Abdali, Mr. Karzai’s focus will be on three issues — the state of play on the BSA, the peace process and then the transition process before and discussing the way ahead.
Mr. Karzai had indicated his willingness to sign the BSA but later said it would be inked next year by a new President, thus irking the U.S.
