The bomb attack in Kabul was more than just another act of violence by the Taleban in their campaign to destabilise Afghanistan and Pakistan.

For the first time in years a significant Indian target was attacked by Islamic militants. Both Afghans and Indians suspect that the bombing was carried out with the connivance of Pakistan’s notorious intelligence service, which is seeking to undermine India’s growing influence in Afghanistan and its support for the Government of President Karzai.

For the sake of security across the region, the international community had better hope that these suspicions are wrong and that investigators do not unearth evidence linking Pakistan to the bombing. Until a truce was hammered out between Islamabad and Delhi, the Indo-Pakistan conflict was regarded widely as the most explosive in the world. After several attacks in India by Islamic militants, tensions grew between the two nuclear powers, nearly triggering an all-out war in 2003. These have been kept in check with a series of measures to build confidence between the rivals and moves by Pakistan to reign in militants.

There are signs that the fragile new Government in Islamabad is either unable or unwilling to stem resurgent militant groups, who control much of the tribal areas. The situation will deteriorate sharply if a new terrorist campaign reignites the old rivalry.

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