Literature Review:
The Indo-Afghan relations have been studied by several scholars and writers. The Indian authors
claim the harmlessness of Indo-Afghan ties for Pakistan. However, the author from the
Pakistan’s side express serious concerns about the Pakistan’s vulnerability due to the increasing
Indian involvement in Afghanistan.1 The Pak-Afghan ties have been facing several ups and
downs since the inception of Pakistan. Although, the relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan
have always been rough but these relations have been exacerbated by the Indian involvement in
Afghanistan. Afghanistan is a state which is not only rich in different natural resources but it is
also extremely important because of its geographic location being a gateway to the Central Asian
Republics. Therefore, all the states in the region have their interests placed in Afghanistan. The
Pakistan and India also have some significant interests vested in Afghanistan. Although the
interests of both Pakistan and India are different from each other but both states strive to
establish their influence in the Afghanistan.2
The Pakistan and India being the intense rivals do not like each other’s involvement in the
neighboring Afghanistan. India has been trying to establish its influence in the Afghanistan since
2011. It has been investing in different developmental and reconstruction projects in
Afghanistan. India being the third-largest economy based on the purchasing power parity PPP is
providing the financial assistance in terms of aid, assistance and loans to the conflict-torn
Afghanistan.3 According to different Indian authors, Indian involvement in Afghanistan is based
on the fact that the Afghanistan is a gateway to Central Asian Republics which are extremely
important not only in terms of their resources but they also act as a bridge between Asia and
Europe.4 But Pakistan believes that the India has not only been trying to minimize the
significance of Pakistan for Afghanistan but it is also successful in these attempts to a great
extent. India has also blamed Pakistan at International level for supporting militancy and
terrorism in the region. Therefore, in its attempts to undermine the role of Pakistan in the region
especially in Afghanistan and to weaken the International standing of Pakistan, India is not only
strengthening its ties own with Afghanistan but also blaming Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism in
the region.5
The warmer Indo-Afghan relations have some serious implications for Pakistan. The Indian
endeavors to strengthen its ties with Afghanistan are based on evil intentions against Pakistan.
The first and foremost implication of Indo-Afghan ties for Pakistan is the Pakistan’s concern that
with the help of its influence in Afghanistan, India attempts to surround Pakistan from both
eastern and western fronts which is extremely alarming for Pakistan. Therefore, it is mandatory
that the Pakistan should design its military strategy in a way that it focuses not only on securing
the eastern border but gives the equal importance to securing its western front. Conversely, India
1
https://www.academia.edu/26605685/Post_9_11_Indo-Afghan_Relations_and_their_implications_for_Pakistan
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335259366_Indo-Afghanistan_Relations_Challenges_for_Pakistan
3
https://www.stimson.org/wp-content/files/fileattachments/India%20in%20Afghanistan%20Understanding%20Development%20Assistance%20by%20Emerging%
20Donors%20to%20Conflict-Affected%20Countries_0.pdf
4
https://www.academia.edu/26605685/Post_9_11_Indo-Afghan_Relations_and_their_implications_for_Pakistan
5
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335259366_Indo-Afghanistan_Relations_Challenges_for_Pakistan
2
claims that the presence of Indian military in Afghanistan is meant to contain any threat from
Pakistan and to support India’s interest vested in CARs which are purely economy based.6 As, an
Indian author, Ramachandran S. examined the Indian base Ayni in Afghanistan. Apart from the
border threat, the India can also maneuver its dominance in Afghanistan to block Pakistan’s
access to Central Asian republics CARs.7
The Pakistan’s Foreign Policy focusses on peaceful and cooperative relations with the
neighboring states. Therefore, establishing good relations with Afghanistan is not only an
important Foreign Policy objective for Pakistan but also significant for stability and security of
Pakistan. But this goal cannot be achieved unless Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan is balanced with
the role of India in Afghanistan. Pakistan should try to initiate efforts to achieve good relations
with Afghanistan through diplomatic and economic means. Because the stronger the Indian
influence in Afghanistan is; the weaker the Pakistan’s ties with Afghanistan are going to be, thus
putting the stability and security of Pakistan at risk and posing other serious implications to
Pakistan. Moreover, Pakistan cannot afford to have Indian military presence at both its eastern
and western fronts thus Pakistan should not allow Indo-Afghan ties to threaten its peace and
stability.
6
7
https://www.academia.edu/26605685/Post_9_11_Indo-Afghan_Relations_and_their_implications_for_Pakistan
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340092015_Indo-Afghan_Relations_Implications_for_Pakistan