Signs of fresh bonding

Strains in relations with Washington have fostered a new closeness between Kabul and Moscow.

The thaw had started under the previous government. Then president Hamid Karzai who turned a trenchant critic of the US, refusing to

Strains in relations with Washington have fostered a new closeness between Kabul and Moscow.

The thaw had started under the previous government. Then president Hamid Karzai who turned a trenchant critic of the US, refusing to sign the Bilateral Strategic Agreement (BSA), had threatened to get military aid from Russia.

While that has not begun, diplomatic moves initiated by Karzai were followed up by the national unity government and Moscow, which had steered clear of involvement in Afghanistan since its troops withdrew in 1988, has become more active both in the region and West Asia.

Fazel Hadi Muslimyar, chairman of the Senate, Meshrano Jirga, who returned recently from a visit to Moscow says, “Fortunately I can say that Moscow now shows much more  interest in Afghanistan. At the request of the Afghan government, it has agreed to supply 10,000 Kalashnikovs.”

Muslimyar had travelled on the invitation of his counterparts in Russia. He had carried a message on behalf of the government requesting Moscow’s help to counter terrorism and for arms, equipment and training for Afghan security forces.

Before him, Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, the speaker of Parliament, had attended a 3-day meeting in St Petersburg. Separately, Rashid Dostum, first vice-president, had visited with a delegation of Members of Parliament to seek Russian help in the war in Afghanistan.

From all accounts, the Russians seem interested in gathering information on the fighters aligned to the Islamic State (ISIS) in Afghanistan. According to Muslimyar, the Russians are very worried about the ISIS, and keen to strengthen relations with Kabul.

Hanif Atmar, national security advisor (NSA), spoke to the Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan Alexander Mantyskiy last week. Radio Azadi quoted Taawab Ghorzang, NSA spokesperson, who said he could not give details of their conversation but underlined that military cooperation with Russia was very important for the return of peace here.

“Russia has frequently spoken about the need for military assistance to ensure peace in Afghanistan. The Afghan government believes that equipping the army and giving weapons to Afghan forces can help ensure there will be peace,” he said.

Moscow has also been asked to assist the Afghan air force. Meanwhile, political analysts wonder if Russia would be able to play a bigger role in Afghanistan considering its involvement in Syria.

Mohammad Qaher Wardak thinks the pro-Moscow tilt is the result of the disappointment with the US. “The Afghan government is at war with terrorist groups; the government needs military aid and sees an opportunity in (finding) another supporter.”

Legal expert Fazel Rahman Omarkhail also thinks Washington’s failure to assist the army is the reason why the government has turned to Russia to aid its security forces.

“The government has two goals,” he says. “First, since Russia is a cold war rival of the US, the government wants to put pressure on Washington. Second, Afghan security forces are familiar with Russian weapons. It will be easier for them to use Russian arms.”

Old friend or new?

While this question is hard to answer, there is no doubt that Russia is an important player in the region, and Afghanistan would not benefit by sidelining Moscow.

Political analyst Wardak has the same view. He believes that friendship with Russia would mean that Kabul benefits from its economic, political and military might. “Afghanistan cannot remain linked to one anode. It must have a balanced relationship that includes Russia, China, India, the West and Saudi Arabia,” he says.

But Omarkhail views all change in foreign policy with suspicion. “The government should be very alert while getting support from other countries,” he says.