With the spread of ISIS in Iraq and Syria is a cause of concern for India too if Afghanistan is caught in the vortex. With US poised to withdraw from Afghanistan there is every possibility of Taliban concentrating on Indian border. The frequent appearance of Pak and ISIS flags in Kashmir Valley is an assertion that somewhere there is a spread of such elements in the Valley. India’s concern is, though we do not share borders with Afghanistan directly, the 106 km border with Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) which is a disputed territory with India claiming its right whereas Pakistan denying it. The coming times are really crucial and India will have to revisit its Afghanistan policy as growing Taliban too is a concern which India cannot ignore. The indirect involvement of US in Syria has worsened the situation more. For India and rest of the world which depends on Middle East oil, a radical Sunni state would be a nightmare for any energy market besides security concern. India is already on al-Qaeda target. The dramatic and menacing rise of the ISIS also means that al-Qaeda which was the prime militant outfit earlier has been subdued. But the growing Taliban influence in Pakistan is a matter of worry as much as the growing influence of ISIS in Afghanistan. In such a scenario the spillover could be through Pakistan occupied Kashmir to India. Thus making security a prime concern for the policy makers who will have to redraw the map in the face of emerging new threat. This is also the right time to put Parrikar doctrine for fighting militancy to test on the ground situation. If Pakistan extends full cooperation as expressed by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, in checking terrorism because the country is facing a similar problem today then situation can change for good. But that is a wishful thinking.
