The Russian route

India should be pleased with the renewal of US-Russian cooperation on Afghanistan announced on Monday in Moscow. Among the many agreements signed by Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitri Medvedev is a Russian decision to open its airspace for the transport of American troops and supplies into Afghanistan.

Obama acknowledged the Russian gesture as a ‘substantial contribution’ to his efforts at building a new international coalition to stabilise the Af-Pak region. Until now, Russia had only allowed the United States to ship non-lethal military supplies across its territory by train.

From Delhi’s perspective, one pattern stands out. When Washington and Moscow fight it out in Afghanistan — as they did during the second part of the Cold War — the consequences are negative for India. When America and Russia are on the same page — as in their support to Afghan neutrality in the early years of the Cold War and in the immediate aftermath of 9/11— the situation is more conducive for the pursuit of Indian interests.

The US-Russian divergence in the last years of the Bush Administration made it difficult not only for India but also the Hamid Karzai government in Kabul. The resumption of US-Russian cooperation comes at a time when Afghanistan must conduct presidential elections amidst deteriorating security conditions. It also comes soon after Washington has raised its troop levels in Afghanistan and launched a major military offensive against the al Qaeda and the Taliban.

The opening of the Russian route is very welcome to Washington which has been scrambling to diversify — there is no real way of replacing America’s near complete logistical dependence on Pakistan to reinforce its military presence in Afghanistan.

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