Neighbourhood watch: Arrival of cadets heralds stronger Pak-Afghan cooperation
Move opens portals for interaction between military in both countries.
In his speech on Thursday, Afghan Ambassador Janan Mosazai billed the cadets as the first group from the Afghan National Army to receive military training at Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) in Abbottabad. PHOTO: AFGHAN FOREIGN MINISTRY
ISLAMABAD:
The arrival of six Afghan army cadets in Islamabad serves as welcome proof of enhanced bilateralism and trust between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
In his speech on Thursday, Afghan Ambassador Janan Mosazai billed the cadets as the first group from the Afghan National Army to receive military training at Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) in Abbottabad.
According to Mosazai, the induction of these cadets is a step in the right direction which will strengthen cooperation between the military in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
More significantly, the move coincides with a six-day visit to Pakistan by a five-member Afghan military delegation led by Afghan National Army Director General of Training, Education and Doctrine Major General Nematullah Khushiwal.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has lauded Kabul’s decision to send cadets to Pakistan. During her weekly briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam termed it an indicator of expanding relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Security officials have repeatedly maintained that stronger ties will enable the cadets to receive top-notch military training at PMA.
Beyond distrust?
Since the arrival of Afghan cadets is the first substantial outcome of talks between President Ashraf Ghani and Pakistan’s military and intelligence personnel, it is likely to be seen to have symbolic importance. However, the move will also open the portals for greater interaction between the military in both countries.
In his maiden visit to Kabul in November, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif promised to offer training courses at military academies in Pakistan for Afghan security forces. For many years, Pakistan had been pushing for military training but former Afghan president Hamid Karzai vehemently opposed the proposal owing to a trust deficit between both countries.
Over the years, Karzai put forward a series of justifications for his stance. The former president insisted he would not repeat the mistakes of former Afghan leaders who had sent military officers for training to the erstwhile Soviet Union. Most of these officers were allegedly brainwashed by the Soviets and helped them invade Afghanistan in 1979.
Many of Karzai’s aides were reluctant to send officers for training to Pakistan because of the latter’s support for insurgents in Afghanistan.
However, the matter was further complicated when Karzai ratified the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) with India in October 2011. Under this agreement, India agreed to assist in training programmes for Afghan National Security Forces.
India has been providing military training and non-lethal military aid to Afghan security forces. Over 300 Afghan army officers are currently in India while 1,400 have been trained since 2003. According to the Indian media, officers have been trained at National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy in Dehradun.
Afghanistan and India are sovereign states and have the right to take any decisions. However, speculations were rife that the training of Afghan forces in India would have repercussions for Pakistan.
In 2013, Karzai had cancelled a planned visit to Pakistan by a group of Afghan military officers on the pretext of alleged cross-border rocket attacks in eastern Kunar province.
Road to progress
Defence experts believe Kabul’s decision to send cadets to Pakistan suggests the trust deficit between the two countries has been bridged. The national unity government in Afghanistan and changes in Pakistan’s military leadership have been cited as some of the major reasons for this.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, former Afghan defence minister Shahnawaz Tanai lauded the decision as an important step to improve security dynamics in both countries.
“Afghan security forces need training as they are now responsible for the country’s security,” Tanai said. “The government has taken a right decision.”
According to Pakistan Army Brigadier (retd) Syed Nazeer, since Pakistan and Afghanistan are tackling the threat of militancy, cadets will get the opportunity to learn strategies to counter terrorism.
He told The Express Tribune, “Pakistan and Afghanistan can take advantage of each other’s experience.”
Nazeer was optimistic that Afghanistan will also accept offers to send security forces to Command and Staff College Quetta and National Defence University in Islamabad.
According to an insider, coordination centres along Torkham and Spin Boldak have been reactivated. Furthermore, Afghan officials are waiting for the arrival of Pakistani officers to make these centres functional. Official reports suggest both countries have also planned joint training sessions in the future. Through these steps, Afghanistan and Pakistan will be able to develop important linkages and synergies to put aside a history of distrust.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2015.
The arrival of six Afghan army cadets in Islamabad serves as welcome proof of enhanced bilateralism and trust between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
In his speech on Thursday, Afghan Ambassador Janan Mosazai billed the cadets as the first group from the Afghan National Army to receive military training at Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) in Abbottabad.
According to Mosazai, the induction of these cadets is a step in the right direction which will strengthen cooperation between the military in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
More significantly, the move coincides with a six-day visit to Pakistan by a five-member Afghan military delegation led by Afghan National Army Director General of Training, Education and Doctrine Major General Nematullah Khushiwal.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has lauded Kabul’s decision to send cadets to Pakistan. During her weekly briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam termed it an indicator of expanding relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Security officials have repeatedly maintained that stronger ties will enable the cadets to receive top-notch military training at PMA.
Beyond distrust?
Since the arrival of Afghan cadets is the first substantial outcome of talks between President Ashraf Ghani and Pakistan’s military and intelligence personnel, it is likely to be seen to have symbolic importance. However, the move will also open the portals for greater interaction between the military in both countries.
In his maiden visit to Kabul in November, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif promised to offer training courses at military academies in Pakistan for Afghan security forces. For many years, Pakistan had been pushing for military training but former Afghan president Hamid Karzai vehemently opposed the proposal owing to a trust deficit between both countries.
Over the years, Karzai put forward a series of justifications for his stance. The former president insisted he would not repeat the mistakes of former Afghan leaders who had sent military officers for training to the erstwhile Soviet Union. Most of these officers were allegedly brainwashed by the Soviets and helped them invade Afghanistan in 1979.
Many of Karzai’s aides were reluctant to send officers for training to Pakistan because of the latter’s support for insurgents in Afghanistan.
However, the matter was further complicated when Karzai ratified the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) with India in October 2011. Under this agreement, India agreed to assist in training programmes for Afghan National Security Forces.
India has been providing military training and non-lethal military aid to Afghan security forces. Over 300 Afghan army officers are currently in India while 1,400 have been trained since 2003. According to the Indian media, officers have been trained at National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy in Dehradun.
Afghanistan and India are sovereign states and have the right to take any decisions. However, speculations were rife that the training of Afghan forces in India would have repercussions for Pakistan.
In 2013, Karzai had cancelled a planned visit to Pakistan by a group of Afghan military officers on the pretext of alleged cross-border rocket attacks in eastern Kunar province.
Road to progress
Defence experts believe Kabul’s decision to send cadets to Pakistan suggests the trust deficit between the two countries has been bridged. The national unity government in Afghanistan and changes in Pakistan’s military leadership have been cited as some of the major reasons for this.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, former Afghan defence minister Shahnawaz Tanai lauded the decision as an important step to improve security dynamics in both countries.
“Afghan security forces need training as they are now responsible for the country’s security,” Tanai said. “The government has taken a right decision.”
According to Pakistan Army Brigadier (retd) Syed Nazeer, since Pakistan and Afghanistan are tackling the threat of militancy, cadets will get the opportunity to learn strategies to counter terrorism.
He told The Express Tribune, “Pakistan and Afghanistan can take advantage of each other’s experience.”
Nazeer was optimistic that Afghanistan will also accept offers to send security forces to Command and Staff College Quetta and National Defence University in Islamabad.
According to an insider, coordination centres along Torkham and Spin Boldak have been reactivated. Furthermore, Afghan officials are waiting for the arrival of Pakistani officers to make these centres functional. Official reports suggest both countries have also planned joint training sessions in the future. Through these steps, Afghanistan and Pakistan will be able to develop important linkages and synergies to put aside a history of distrust.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2015.