Daily Times

The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline has the potential to turn the tide when it comes to the quagmire across our western border. After all, it has placed the Taliban and the US on the same page regarding Afghan security. For many on both sides of the great divide — the group’s pledge to safeguard the portion of the pipeline that runs through ‘its’ territory is sincere. After all, it has has long recognised the project’s economic benefit. And this time around the deal has been sealed; and it is one aimed at meeting the region’s energy needs as opposed to merely lining the West’s pockets.

Be that as it may, what Washington does next is crucial. We recommend that it accept and reciprocate the Taliban’s assertion; as this potentially holds the key to peace talks. What it must not do is repeat the mistakes of the George W Bush years. Back then, it was the prospect of gaining control of the Caspian Sea that prompted the latter to court the ‘enemy combatants’ of today in the pre-9/11 period. For even 20 years ago this area represented a major source of oil; with an estimated value of some $4 trillion. Thus the Taliban were splashed with cash, arms and training all to put in place a stable regime to better secure for the Americans the world’s most precious commodity. And the first incarnation of TAPI (barring India) was born. It was never realised, however, given Washington’s refusal to entertain the Taliban’s not unreasonable demand that the latter open up the pipeline so that the Afghan people could benefit; instead of having the gas exported only. The US similarly pooh-poohed requests to bring the country’s infrastructure into the then 20th century. That the Taliban did not play ball has led more than a few pundits to conclude that this was the real premise for Operation Enduring Freedom.

In terms of reciprocation, Washington could, as a first step, call a (temporary) halt to its drone programme. For this precise remote-controlled weaponry has proved imprecise on untold occasions. And the worst-case scenario would be for the US to drop a misguided bomb on the pipeline. Thus the drone question is something that Ghani regime ought to push for; and Islamabad, too, but quietly from behind-the-scenes. After all, both sides from the very beginning have been calling for a negotiated settlement based on reconciliation. And though this largely referred to the warring factions within the country — we believe it only logical that this extends to Washington given that it has not only been party to the war from the very beginning but because it has gone from aggressor nation to occupying military power. And the Taliban, with their security promise, have afforded the US a face-saving measure on this front. For it will not have to worry about being seen to kowtow to militant demands as a precondition for peace. Not when it is about reconciliation. If that is what Washington truly wants.  *

Published in Daily Times, February 28^th 2018.