NewsGate Press Network

By Vineet Dikshit

US bases in India ?

Is this about to happen sooner than later given the fluid situation in Afghanistan.

Hints to this effect surfaced during yesterday’s sitting of a Senate Committee meeting in Washington where the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tacitly indicated that next stage of airstrikes in Afghanistan could take place from bases in north west India.

Blinken was appearing as a witness before US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on pull-out from Afghanistan. He was grilled by top US law makers over the dramatic developments in Afghanistan after an abrupt and hasty US withdrawal.

His comments came-in after some straight speaking and tough questioning by  Congressman Mark Green, who represents the 7th District of Tennessee in the US Congress.

Here is that YouTube link of the Senate Committee hearing.

Lookout particularly for counters between 3.14:44  to 3.18:36, where Antony Blinken-Mark Green cross examination took place with regard to references made to India as a possible staging area for airstrikes in Afghanistan.

The transcript from the above mentioned counters gives more than one indications that in near future the United States is most likely to use IAF bases having shortest available flight paths to targets in Afghanistan.

US Congressmen Mark Green pointedly asked Blinken- (near verbatim transcript)

—  “considering rumours of isis- support, I am sorry ISI’s support for the Taliban  – have you guys reached out to India as a possible staging area for over the horizon (OTH) force – I am talking (about) north-west India as a potential because we all know Qatar-Doha, Kuwait and other places are a bit too far—what about north west India – and have you guys reached out – have you thought about that.”

To this Anthony Blinken replied:

–“ let me say Congressmen – generally – we are deeply engaged with India across the board  – with regard any specifics about the over the horizon (OTH) capabilities and the plans that we have put in place – that we continue put in place –  I would rather take that up in a different setting -like that reference (made by) Chairman start of the hearing”.

To this Mr Mark Green replied:

 “ I think that’s very fair – I appreciate to know that there is a an opportunity to talk about that  – because from my stand (of) point (of view) an opportunity we should seize (to take-up)..”

Mark Green, before becoming a politician at the Hill was a combat veteran who had done military tour of duties in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is famously known as a select few involved in a mission to capture Saddam Hussein. His anti-ISI views are on record.

Going by the proceedings at the Capitol Hill, all indications point to a direction wherein a situation may arise in near future when USAF could be using IAF airbases in Rajasthan or in Punjab.

It may be recalled that in August 2016, India had signed a Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) with the United States.

Next week Prime Minister Narendra travels to the US to meet Joe Biden for his first in-person meeting. The US President has convened a Summit Meeting  QUAD Leaders scheduled for 24 September.

On 25 September Modi will address 76th Session of the UN General Assembly. About 100 leaders from across the world are expected to be in New York for this year’s UN General Assembly session.