Source: Print
U.S. President Donald Trump’s mocking comments on India’s contributions to Afghanistan have elicited sharp responses. Spokespersons of the BJP and the Congress took to Twitter, pointing out the scale, range and significance of India’s developmental assistance to the war-ravaged country. All this is true, but beside the point. Trump’s comments and the underlying stance towards Afghanistan underscore the extent to which the Modi government’s policy on Afghanistan has been based on wishful thinking. Instead of reacting with injured innocence, New Delhi should undertake a clear-eyed appraisal of the situation in Afghanistan as well as its own approach.