Pakistan article discusses strategic pact signed between India, Afghanistan.

Text of article by Asif Ezdi headlined "A Delhi-Kabul axis?" published by Pakistani newspaper The News website on 24 October.

The signature of the India-Afghanistan strategic partnership agreement on 4 October has caused considerable hand-wringing in some circles in Pakistan. Not just because of its terms, such as the Indian commitment to train the Afghan security forces, but also on account of its timing. Since it came only weeks after the US mounted a heavy-handed campaign to coerce Pakistan into taking military action against the Haqqani group's "safe havens" in Pakistan, there has been speculation that Washington, Delhi and Kabul may be acting in concert to teach Pakistan a lesson.

The timing of the India-Afghanistan agreement is significant also for another reason. It was signed shortly - only two months - after the US formally launched its "New Silk Road" initiative for South and Central Asia, which is in reality a blueprint for US-India collaboration to promote Indian domination of the region.

Nevertheless, Pakistan has done well to shun a knee-jerk reaction to this latest act of political embrace by its two neighbours with which it has had a troubled relationship. India has been at this game for the last …