New Delhi: The top levels of the government are debating opening talks with Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Afghan Taliban to ensure India remains relevant in Afghanistan.

CNN-IBN learns the precarious security situation in Afghanistan--highlighted by the terrorist attacks targeting Indians in Kabul on February 26--is prompting a gradual but significant rethink in New Delhi.

Sources confirm that the government is debating opening up a channel of communication with the ISI and engaging sections of the Taliban--an idea India abhorred till now.

India is also considering paring down its presence at reconstruction projects in Afghanistan. Projects underway may be wrapped up quickly and there may be even a freeze on undertaking new projects.

These policy options were debated at a meeting of the National Security Council, which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh chaired on February 12.

India won't scale down Afghanistan operations
The government has been forced to think to rethink its Afghanistan policy because of cold, hard reality. Indian officials acknowledge that the political and military situation has deteriorated in Afghanistan.

President Hamid Karzai is politically weak and Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar and his men could return to power in Kabul. Security analysts perceive Western powers have lost their will to stay in Afghanistan, and there's a tremendous increase in Pakistan confidence.

The advice to engage with sections of the Taliban and start a limited and regulated dialogue with the ISI came from the Prime Minister's Office.

The advice is controversial but stems from India's need to ensure Afghanistan is not handed over on a platter to Pakistan. In line with that thinking, India is also considering helping prop up a friendly political alliance and intensively engage with Russia and Iran.

Not everyone is convinced about India’s new Afghanistan policy. “It’s not the same Afghanistan--there's no Ahmad Shah Masood. It’s not the same old Iran either. It’s also not the old Soviet Union. We now have Russia and the Central Asian States, so we need a new way. What that will be, we don't know,” says former diplomat K C Singh.

Indian officials say there may be a change of approach but India remains determined to stay relevant in Afghanistan.

Dizasta, take it easy...Pakistan has turned an unwinnable situation into a winable one, not because it promoted the wholesale slaughter of people. Especially in war Muslims need to remember how the Prophet PBUH acted. With thought and insight, mercy and compassion. By encouraging the slaughter of western troops, all you will do is ###### them off and then instead of a few thousand you will have the full might of the US knocking on your doorstep. Pakistan has gotten this far by keeping the US in check but not antagonizing it. Overconfindence would ruin everything for Pakistan at this stage I can promise you. Pakistan played its card right, will have the US leaving everything in Pakistan's hands again (ie return to status quo as it was 10yrs ago) except now Pakistan's force will have an extra 50 F-16s (with original 32 brought up to modern age via MLU), 1000LGB, 500 AMRAAMs, 500 JDAMs, 48 Artillery pieces while maintaining and expanding its missile and nuclear arsenals. This was done by the grace of Allah and intelligence of the military commanders. And for the time being, no sanctions.

Pakistan should use the time to tidey up Afghanistan, wipe out the TTP and other terrorists, and focus its attention on expanding its economy (which also unfortunately has returned to 10yrs ago). Instead of pushing for more weapons from the US or nuclear technology, Pakistan should push for LNG/Clean Coal (sits on some of the largest NG and coal reserves in the world), Solar Cell tech, Wind Turbine tech. It should push for more economic oppurtunities in Europe and US and demand investment in Pakistan while it still has the west by the Balls. Develop the nation on the wests dime rather than talk of killing. Pakistan is providing the west with the opportunity to make a clean get away from Afghanistan, so it has the opportunity to milk it for every drop.

what talk??? bhindia doesn't get any option to "talk", they only get 1 option, to get the hell out, PERIOD!

Dizasta, take it easy...Pakistan has turned an unwinnable situation into a winable one, not because it promoted the wholesale slaughter of people. Especially in war Muslims need to remember how the Prophet PBUH acted. With thought and insight, mercy and compassion. By encouraging the slaughter of western troops, all you will do is ###### them off and then instead of a few thousand you will have the full might of the US knocking on your doorstep. Pakistan has gotten this far by keeping the US in check but not antagonizing it. Overconfindence would ruin everything for Pakistan at this stage I can promise you. Pakistan played its card right, will have the US leaving everything in Pakistan's hands again (ie return to status quo as it was 10yrs ago) except now Pakistan's force will have an extra 50 F-16s (with original 32 brought up to modern age via MLU), 1000LGB, 500 AMRAAMs, 500 JDAMs, 48 Artillery pieces while maintaining and expanding its missile and nuclear arsenals. This was done by the grace of Allah and intelligence of the military commanders. And for the time being, no sanctions.

Pakistan should use the time to tidey up Afghanistan, wipe out the TTP and other terrorists, and focus its attention on expanding its economy (which also unfortunately has returned to 10yrs ago). Instead of pushing for more weapons from the US or nuclear technology, Pakistan should push for LNG/Clean Coal (sits on some of the largest NG and coal reserves in the world), Solar Cell tech, Wind Turbine tech. It should push for more economic oppurtunities in Europe and US and demand investment in Pakistan while it still has the west by the Balls. Develop the nation on the wests dime rather than talk of killing. Pakistan is providing the west with the opportunity to make a clean get away from Afghanistan, so it has the opportunity to milk it for every drop.

Best thing Pakistan can do is offer cash bounty on Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan.

Afghans would be lining up to kill them.

now they r slowly coming onto their knees.and indian soon be begging us on their knees for forgiveness but we shoudlnt forgive them but to attack them ,dfeat them .capture whole the lands and make them our slave.Allah willing soon our mughal riyasat will return and we will be ruling these hindus again.

Afghan reality: India may talk to ISI, Taliban

DAMN THEM ALL TO HELL!!!

Let the Taliban have their "picnic".

I think he means Altaf Hussain...

what talk??? bhindia doesn't get any option to "talk", they only get 1 option, to get the hell out, PERIOD!