Russia, China can help more in Afghanistan: NATO

“Basically, Russia shares our security concerns,” North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, told the Munich Security Conference today. There is scope for further Russian engagement in our operation in Afghanistan.

The alliance is seeking help from its former Cold War foe as it lines up almost 40,000 extra soldiers for Afghanistan — bringing Western troop strength to almost 150,000 — to turn back a resurgent Taliban, protect civilians and train Afghan forces.

Rasmussen said he's suggesting Russia provide helicopters, helicopter pilots and spare parts to help NATO's logistics in the country where Soviet forces were defeated by Afghan fighters in the 1980s. Russia could also do more to train Afghan soldiers and police, he said.

If Afghanistan once again becomes a safe haven for terrorists, they could easily spread through Central Asia to Russia, Rasmussen said. Not to speak about drug trafficking, which constitutes a major problem for Russia.

As the United States (U.S.) and NATO boost troop strength with the aim of speeding a handover to Afghans forces, Rasmussen said India and neighboring China also have a stake in Afghanistan's stability and could help further develop and rebuild the country.

Engaging with countries far beyond the alliance's old Cold War borders is one of NATO's options as members face threats such as cyber attacks, energy cutoffs and piracy, Rasmussen said.

“What could be the harm if countries such China, India and Pakistan and others were to develop closer ties with NATO,” he asked. There would only be a benefit in terms of trust, confidence and cooperation.

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