India, Uzbekistan sign key security pacts

By Atul Aneja

NEW DELHI, MAY 2. India and Uzbekistan today signed several key agreements to fine tune their political relationship to face the onslaught of cross-border terrorism mushrooming from the Afghanistan-Pakistan extremist hub.

Concerned about the serious challenge posed to regional and national security, the visiting Uzbekistan President , Mr.Islam Karimov, and the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, signed a joint declaration on principles which will anchor future relationship.

The declaration has been signed in the backdrop of an urgency felt both in New Delhi and Tashkent for a joint front to counter the threat of destabilisation to Central and South Asia from Taliban-dominated Afghanistan. Sources here point out that Uzbekistan, which shares a common border with the other four Central Asian republics - Kazakhstan, Kyrghyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan - is aware that it is the fulcrum around which the security of resource-rich Central Asia revolves.

From a military angle, armed inroads can be made into Uzbekistan across the legendary Amu Darya which separates the country from Afghanistan. The possibility of such a thrust has increased with the Taliban now sitting at the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif, which is around three hours driving distance from the Amu Darya. Reports from Uzbekistan also say Kandahar in Afghanistan has become the base for the formation of the United Uzbek Opposition. This opposition is likely to be joined by the Pakistan-backed Taliban. The choice of Kandahar as the springboard for an onslaught into Uzbekistan is significant as it is not far from Quetta in Pakistan, form where the area can be kept well supplied.

India, on its part, fully shares Uzbekistan's security concerns. Consolidation of radicalism in Central Asia can only have negative security repercussions on Kashmir.

While India and Uzbekistan discussed the regional security situation, it was in the backdrop of the increasing extra- regional presence in the area. Russia, anxious to keep the insurgency in the Caucasus insulated from radical forces in Central Asia is engaging the Central Asians in a major military and diplomatic exercise. A coalition of four Central Asian republics, minus Turkmenistan has also been formed to counter extremist threats.

China, also sensing the rise of extremism in its oil- rich Sinkiang province, has also launched a major cooperative initiative along with Russia to engage the Central Asians under the framework of the Shanghai-five. Reacting to the Russian inroads, the U. S. has recently shown greater activism in the region as was evident in the visit to Central Asia by the U.S. Secretary of State, Ms.Madeline Albright, in April.

Aware of the high stakes involved, the Uzbek President was quick to declare his rejection of extremism from Afghanistan. ``Afghanistan has become a hot-bed and training ground of international terrorism. Such activities are absolutely unacceptable to us. We cannot accept the policies of certain countries supporting Taliban'', he said soon after being accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Mr. Karimov described India as Uzbekistan's``natural ally'' in the fight against terrorism which, he said, had acquired ``explosive'' dimensions.

Both sides today signed an extradition treaty and a legal assistance pact on criminal matters. A ``mutual assistance''agreement between the two customs authorities was also finalised.

India has also finalised an agreement to extend another 10 million dollars of credit to Uzbekistan. Besides,the two countries signed pacts in the fields of agriculture research, culture, information and mass media.

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