AP Photo

When President Barack Obama announced the ‘surge and exit’ strategy for Afghanistan in December 2009, Delhi, like so many others, was surprised. The significant expansion of Indian influence in Afghanistan since the U.S. ousted the Taliban regime at the end of 2001 was rooted in the stability and security provided by the American and international military forces. The Indian apprehensions about Afghanistan’s uncertain future after the U.S. ends its combat role there by 2014 acquired a sharper edge as the Obama Administration sought negotiations with the Taliban that Dehli has long seen as a proxy of the Pakistan army. That Washington might cede the south and east of Afghanistan to the Taliban and allow the Pakistan army a big say in future political...