Author: Abdan Safi
Although there is no shared land border between India and Afghanistan, these two countries have a long history of relations based on cultural, commercial, and diplomatic ties. However, Pakistan has consistently viewed these relations with suspicion and has made every effort to limit India’s role in Afghanistan.
This policy has not only caused diplomatic setbacks for Pakistan but also complicated its relationship with Afghanistan. Recently, the meeting between Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in Dubai has been perceived in this context. This meeting could potentially mark the beginning of a new chapter in relations between India and Afghanistan, while also posing another diplomatic challenge for Pakistan.
Pakistan’s policy regarding Afghanistan has consistently been fraught with contradictions and misguided decisions. In the 1990s, Islamabad recognized the Taliban government, but when the Taliban returned to power in 2021, Pakistan expected to maintain influence in Kabul. However, the Taliban made it clear that they were not subservient to Pakistan and were committed to an independent foreign policy.
As a result, relations between Kabul and Islamabad have deteriorated in recent months, particularly after Pakistan took harsh measures against Afghan refugees and accused the Islamic Emirate of harboring attackers across the Durand Line, responding with airstrikes and incursions on Afghan soil.
Pakistan’s greatest misstep has been its policy of viewing Afghanistan through the lens of its strategic depth policy, seeking to keep it under its influence rather than recognizing it as an independent state.
In contrast, India has consistently focused on developmental projects in Afghanistan and nurturing connections with the Afghan people. India has provided scholarships, constructed roads and hospitals, and established direct ties with Afghans. This clear difference is becoming increasingly evident today—while Pakistan grapples with engaging the Taliban, India’s diplomatic avenues remain open.
The recent meeting in Dubai should not be perceived merely as a routine diplomatic engagement. Through this meeting, the Islamic Emirate has conveyed a clear message that it is prepared to steer its relations with India towards a new direction. While discussions encompassed diplomatic, economic, and trade matters, security and regional stability were also addressed. This meeting epitomizes the Islamic Emirate’s expanding diplomatic efforts and its aspiration to adopt a balanced policy in the region.
The Islamic Emirate’s endeavors to enhance diplomatic ties, particularly with a significant country like India, constitute a commendable strategy. The IEA has recognized that relying solely on one or two countries is not advantageous, and adopting a broader and more diversified foreign policy will better safeguard Afghanistan’s interests. This is why they are not only cultivating closer relations with China and Russia but are also fortifying ties with Gulf countries, Iran, and India.
A serious question now arises for Pakistan: If it does not adapt its foreign policy to align with the ground realities and continues with its traditional arrogant approach, its influence in Afghanistan will diminish further. Pressuring the Islamic Emirate and taking a hardline stance will not yield any benefits but will further deteriorate relations.
Islamabad must acknowledge that Afghanistan is an autonomous nation with the right to formulate decisions based on its own interests.
The enhancement in India-Afghanistan relations does not connote a conspiracy against Pakistan but rather strives to bolster regional stability and development. If Pakistan embraces this reality and adopts a more flexible approach in its policies, it too can derive benefits from the situation. However, if Pakistan persists in viewing India’s presence in Afghanistan through a lens of animosity, it will only be detrimental to itself.
The Dubai meeting signifies a new commencement. If the talks progress positively, it will not only bolster economic ties between Afghanistan and India but also prove to be significant for diplomatic and strategic equilibrium in the region. The Taliban government has demonstrated its capability to handle international relations more effectively, and if this trend continues, Afghanistan could emerge as a pivotal regional player in the future.
