New Delhi:
For the first time since the Mumbai attacks, government sources have revealed that one of three training camps for the 26\11 terrorists was operated by the Afghan Taliban.
While links between the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and the Taliban are now well known, it's the first time a link has been made with 26\11.
Government sources say that's one of the reasons why India's stakes in Afghanistan have become so big.
There's a concern that a Taliban takeover could directly impact India's security.
Meanwhile, with just ten days to go for the SAARC summit in Bhutan, sources have said a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart is not inevitable, as more uncertainty clouds Indo-Pak ties.
Sources say India wants a signal from Islamabad on credible action against those behind the Mumbai attacks but Hafiz Saeed is not being made a benchmark.
Though action against him would be a useful indicator but at the moment, the outlook is bleak with one official telling NDTV that Indo-Pak ties are sliding backwards.
PTI adds: Highlighting this threat, the sources underlined the the criticality of Afghanistan for India in terms of security.
The sources said India has larger interest in Afghanistan, which is part of its periphery. "Whatever happens there affect us," sources said.
India has blamed Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba for the deadly attacks and has been demanding action Hafiz Saeed, who is the chief of JuD, the front organisation for LeT.
The sources also said India will continue its presence in Afghanistan while adjusting according to the situation and capabilities.
India is involved in a number of developmental projects in Afghanistan despite a spate of attacks against its interests in the war-torn country.
"If Taliban capture Afghanistan or Afghanistan goes with Taliban, the situation will be critical for India also," the sources said.
India realises that the situation in Afghanistan is evolving fast and New Delhi is closely monitoring the developments.
They said big issues regarding Afghanistan have to be primarily addressed by Afghans themselves.
There is a feeling in India that Afghans themselves don't want Taliban to be back and would resist if it attempts.
The sources said situation in Afghanistan figured prominently at a meeting between National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon and Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo on the sidelines of the India-Brazil-South Africa and Brzail-Russia-China-India Summits here.
Significantly, the Afghan issue was raised by the Chinese side. Both Menon and Dai are Special Representatives for the boundary talks between the two countries.
Earlier, Menon discussed the situation in Afghanistan with Russian officials. Menon had also discussed the issue with his US counterpartGen James Jones in Washington during the Nuclear Security Summit.
China favoured the continuation of International Stabilisation Force in Afghanistan.