India, China, Russia seek role in Afghan policy

By Krittivas Mukherjee

BANGALORE, India (Reuters) - The foreign ministers of Russia, China and India said on Tuesday that the world must remain engaged in Afghanistan, with Moscow seeking a greater role for regional powers in stabilising the war-torn country.

The appeal by the three big powers comes at a time when public support for the war in Afghanistan is fading in Western countries, and just as the United States is debating whether to send more troops to arrest a growing Taliban insurgency.

"The ministers emphasised the necessity of the international community maintaining its commitment to render assistance to the government and people of Afghanistan in ensuring security and development...," the foreign ministers said in a statement following their meeting in the southern Indian city of Bangalore.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters that the three countries were coordinating their efforts to restore stability to Afghanistan and "counter terrorism and drug trafficking".

"We can not stand aloof and impartial on what's going on in the friendly neighbouring countries and adjacent countries too," Lavrov said.

Analysts said India, China and Russia, were trying to send a signal that each had a stake in Afghanistan and that the United States couldn't continue to pursue a unilateral path.

"The timing of the statement is significant because the Americans are now reviewing their war and it's a clear signal to the U.S. that it can not go it alone with its so-called Af-Pak policy," said Uday Bhaskar, director of the National Maritime Foundation, a New Delhi-based thinktank.