Mineral Pie is the next big story

Just read this news on Times of India that USA geologists have stumbled upon mineral deposits worth millions of dollars. Well, after reading that the first thing that came to my mind was, let us see now how quickly US and allies exit Afghanistan.  Especially when the initial monetary value of the mineral deposits is in trillions.  This might be a golden opportunity for the US government to get itself a consolation prize and may be even muscle out from the Afghan govt. enough of the mineral pie to get them some profits to cover their war expenditure and may be some extra change to pump into their  suffocating economy.

 

Though, my bitching about the USA might sound like I hate them, countries like India do need them to stay at Afghan for a longer period also. Especially after this mineral discovery. China is already into Afghan for mining. USA moving out and giving a free run to Afghan govt. would  give China to move in quickly and capitalize on this mineral  find. Also, looking at the corruption record of the Afghan govt. , it seems better that the USA stays in for a longer period. Over and above, the catastrophic thing that could happen in such  a circumstance is the mines that would be developed falling into the hands of the Terrorists and the Taliban. This might have strong repercussions as they will have more pennies for their arms and travel expenses.

 

For countries like India also a longer US stay in Afghanistan will be beneficial. Else the Indian security fraternity’s assessment that the Taliban will run riot with the ISI support will be spot on. Afghan region will be back to where it was 10 years back.

 

Another interesting point was that the initial finding was done by the Soviet Union while it had occupied Afghanistan, the US geologists got their first hint in 2004 from the national library in Kabul. So, do the Russians also get a pie?

 

I just hope and  pray that the common Afghan man gets some benefit from this find and not get exploited, especially when the social welfare or environmental laws are little if not non-existent in Afghanistan.

 

Seya