The 30 August editorial, titled "India-Afghanistan Imperialistic Collusion," argues that India long "hatched conspiracies against Pakistan in collusion with former Afghan governments." The daily concludes that the new strategic alliance between New Delhi and Kabul might spark a new period of anti-Pakistani sentiment in Afghanistan and thus damage relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

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The Lahore-based Urdu-language daily "Nawa-e Waqt" (New Time) in a commentary on 30 August describes the new India-Afghanistan strategic alliance in a similar vein. The paper says India's primary aim is possible trade and transit routes from Pakistan to Afghanistan and the accompanying opportunities to control business and markets in Afghanistan, as well as in parts of Central Asia.

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A commentary titled "Another Indian Demand" in the Karachi-based daily "Jasarat" asks what kind of alliance is emerging between India and Afghanistan. It also wonders how that relationship might influence Afghan-Pakistan relations. "Jasarat" hints at what it perceives to be the answer, commenting that India is making an "all-out effort to prevent Pakistan from getting a foothold in Afghanistan" and that anti-Pakistani sentiment is dominant in Afghanistan. "Under such circumstances," "Jasarat" concludes, "the Pakistani government will have to devise a foreign policy with great caution."

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Iranian state-run radio Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran comments in a 30 August broadcast that Afghanistan needs a powerful ally like India during its period of recovery. The station reminds listeners that during the Taliban regime -- which was openly supported by Pakistan -- the Indian government was supporting anti-Taliban elements in Afghanistan.

"India is making every effort to promote democracy in Afghanistan. This is because India has vast experience in the democratization of its own society," Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran argues, adding that India's stronger relations with Afghanistan also signal easier access to the Central Asian markets.

As far as Afghanistan is concerned, the station claims, "by boosting relations with India, the Afghan government is seeking to portray itself as a rival to Pakistan."

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An editorial issued in the Hindu-language Indian daily "New Delhi Navbharat Times" on 30 August compares India's relations with Afghanistan now to those during Afghan King Zahir Shah's reign and the subsequent administration of President Mohammad Daud. Titled "Peaceful, Demarcated Afghanistan To Link Central, South Asia," the commentary says Pakistan plays an important role in mutual cooperation in the Central and South Asian region. "Pakistan's cooperation is essential, whether the case is one of mutual cooperation or trade, an effort to bring Afghanistan closer to the [South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation], or the laying of gas pipeline from Turkmenistan," the commentary says. The paper concludes that Afghanistan should be allowed to assume its role of a "land bridge" between South and Central Asia.

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