Round Table Discussion on Afghanistan

VIF organized a round table discussion focusing on Afghanistan on 11^th October 2013. Participants in the discussion included Mr. Ajit Doval, KC, Director VIF, Gen. (retd) N. C. Vij, Lt. Gen. (retd) Ravi Sawhney, Amb G. Parthasarathy, Amb Satish Chandra, Amb Prabhat P Shukla, Amb Arvind Gupta, Amb Vivek Katju, Amb T.C. Rangachari, Maj. Gen. (retd) S. Thapliyal, Brig. (Retd) Ravi Bhonsle, Brig. (Retd) Vinod Anand, and Mr. Sushant Sareen.

The discussion began with opening remarks from Mr. Doval, pitching in the agenda for the discussion. It was followed by brief presentations by Amb G. Parthasarathy, Amb Vivek Katju and Brig. (Retd) Rahul Bhonsle. These presentations focused on the political equations and environment in Afghanistan and its periphery, keeping in mind the upcoming elections and the Western draw-down. Also assessed were the security situation and the levels of insurgency in Afghanistan. There was a unanimous agreement to the argument that India must assist the Afghanistan Government in more capacities and ways in order to ensure that the democratic forces survive. The situation in Pakistan and their engagement with Afghanistan was also put under scrutiny. Amb Arvind Gupta summed up the issues discussed.