Published 19:24 IST, August 31st 2019
Subramanian Swamy's 'get PoK' formula: Defend Afghanistan, let US exit
Subramanian Swamy hinted that the USA could help India get back PoK if India agreed to fight the Taliban, allowing USA to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan
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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Subramanian Swamy pitched his formula for India to get back the possession of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Saturday. Penning his thoughts on microblogging website Twitter, he suggested that India should agree to defend Afghanistan against the menace of terrorists like the Taliban. Swamy contended that this would allow the United States of America (USA) to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan. He reckoned that USA would return the favour and help India in taking back PoK.
I have now a solid hint that if India agrees to to defend Afghanistan against terrorists like Taliban, and thus allow US to withdraw its troops, then US will side with India in taking back PoK
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) August 31, 2019
Swamy backs Trump’s views on India’s role in Afghanistan
On previous occasions as well, the outspoken Rajya Sabha MP has differed from the official Indian policy on Afghanistan. On August 3, Swamy had expressed apprehension at the possibility of the US helping Pakistan in Kashmir in return for the latter influencing the Taliban. He lamented the fact that India refused to send its army to Afghanistan. Similarly, when US President Donald Trump voiced his dissatisfaction on India not fighting terror groups in Afghanistan despite the geographical proximity, Swamy supported him. According to the former Union Minister, India should move into Afghanistan as the Taliban could harm India. He observed that India could get the best weapons from USA’s defense arsenal as quid-pro-quo.
Trump is right. We must move into Afghanistan since Taliban is killing all pro India and India educated Afghans. Taliban is ready to attack us via PoK. So tell US: we will if you open your defence warehouse and allow us to take what need for free
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) August 23, 2019
The geopolitical situation in Afghanistan
US President Trump has been vociferous in his efforts to reach an agreement with the Taliban. This would lead to the withdrawal of the majority of their troops on the ground in Afghanistan. Pakistan has been trying to leverage its strong influence on the Taliban in order to obtain much needed financial and military assistance. However, after the Indian government’s decision to end the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan has failed in its attempts to internationalize the issue by using the Taliban as a bargaining chip. This is evident from the fact that President Trump agreed that Kashmir was a bilateral issue, after meeting Prime Minister Modi at the G7 Summit.
14:43 IST, August 31st 2019