The Indian Prime Minister's Visit to Afghanistan

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will visit Afghanistan from May 12 to May 13. The trip is part of New Delhi's ongoing efforts to develop a foothold in Pakistan’s western periphery with which to pressure Islamabad. India's strategy has its limits, however. Washington needs Islamabad's connections with the Afghan Taliban to accelerate its withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan, and blocking Indian influence in Afghanistan will be a big part of the price Pakistan exacts from the United States for its cooperation.