NEW DELHI is in the process of finalising the training module for the Afghan National Army. The move comes after the two countries signed a strategic partnership agreement last month, according to which India agreed to train, equip and build capacity for Afghan security forces.

Within a year, company-level training - which includes 100 soldiers - will also begin at specialised institutions such as the Commando School in Belgaum, Counter-insurgency and Jungle Warfare School in Mizoram and High Altitude Warfare School in Sonmarg, Kashmir. India will also supply logistics such as vehicles, technology, and sports equipment.

However, India is slightly wary of deals in military hardware such as supply of tanks, artillery guns and ammunition because of Pakistani sensitivities. India is also avoiding sending training teams to Afghanistan because of vulnerability to attacks.

Pertinent to mention that former Pakistan president Gen Musharraf, recently told a media outlet that Pakistan had offered free training to the Afghan army. President Karzai had refused to accept the Pak offer. “I have been bending backwards, asking President Karzai, we opened out all our training institutions free of cost. Come to Pakistan and we'll train you. Not one has come, “Indian Express quoted Musharraf.

This will set alarm bells ringing in Pakistan, who will try to sabotage the deal as much as possible to gain an upper hand in the region by strengthening ties with the volatile Afghanistan. Karzai’s recent statement that his country will stand by Pakistan in the wake of Pak-US war, however, didn’t come as happy news for Pakistan when Karzai signed the strategic agreement with Pakistan.

The deal assumes significance as India as a country has more to offer to the war-torn Afghanistan than the neighbouring Pakistan, which has been ravaged by sky-high inflation and sectarian killings. Thousands of Afghan students study in India colleges on full scholarships and many businessmen are being encouraged to invest in India.