Karzai in India with a packed agenda

New Delhi: Five months have passed since Indian border roads worker Maniappan Kutty was killed by a resurgent Taliban militia in the southern Afghan province of Nimroz.

As Afghan President Hamid Karzai's grip over the region wanes, the fate 2,000 other Indians based in Afganistan hangs in balance.

Karzai, who arrived in New Delhi on Sunday night, is likely to address this concern in official-level talks during his four-day visit.

Among other things, Karzai will discuss security cooperation and India's contribution to Afghanistan's reconstruction with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He is also likely to sign three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) during this visit.

Former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, G Parthasarathy, says, "I think certainly I would be surprised if there was not a measure for exchange of information on the terrorist groups operating in Pakistan. We will share strategies on how to deal with it."

India has committed over $600 million to help re-build Afganistan, but is unwilling to take up new projects due to the Taliban insurgency, Pakistan's denial of transit rights and complicated relations with Iran.

Politically, Karzai is on a sticky wicket at home. And if the US commitment to Afghanistan starts to flag, his own position could become even more untenable.

But herein lies Delhi's dilemma - support for Karzai is necessary to secure its assets in Afghanistan. But Karzai is also gradually marginalising old friends, key Northern Alliance leaders, and thereby minimising South Block's options for the future.

"The sidelining of some key leaders, who have been friendly with India over the years, is a matter of some concern to us. I don't think it is correct for Delhi to directly interfere," says Parthasarathy.

As India tries to consolidate its space in Pakistan's backyard, Afghanistan is carving out a role for itself in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Delhi will also want Karzai to sign on the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA), forcing Pakistan to provide transit access.