January 14, 2021
Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval reached Afghanistan on Wednesday for a two day trip for talks on strategic matters with the leadership in Kabul. The Afghan National Security Council stated that Doval and his counterpart, Hamdullah Mohib held “extensive conversations on issues of strategic mutual interest, including on synchronizing efforts to combat terrorism and build peace”.
He also met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, head of the High Council of National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah, and Senior Afghan politician Ata Mohammad Noor. During these meetings, Doval assured India’s determination to continue its support for Afghanistan and its willingness to carry on talks on common interests.
It must be kept in mind that India and Afghanistan have had a close relationship in the recent past, with New Delhi being the biggest financial supporter of Afghanistan in the region. In addition to mega infrastructure ventures like the India Afghanistan friendship dam, and the Afghan Parliament, India has been facilitating the capacity building mainly by providing scholarships to numerous Afghan students. During the COVID crisis, India sent 75,000 tons of wheat and 20 tons of life-saving medicines and other tools to Afghanistan.
India’s efforts to increase its influence in Afghanistan which is much disturbing for Pakistan as India’s rising influence in Afghanistan is a strategic loss for Pakistan. The widespread security dilemma has further increased the mistrust between India and Pakistan. The strengthening India-Afghanistan relations are a red flag for Pakistan because Pakistan is likely to be sandwiched between two rivals. A stable and peaceful Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s interest as it is a gateway to Central Asia, South Asia and Middle East. Though Afghanistan shares cordial relations with Pakistan due to similar culture, religion, language, history, values and norms, still regional politics can turn tables within no time.
The author Laraib Nisar is a Defense and Strategic Studies’ graduate, working as a Researcher at Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) Islamabad.
© Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) and Afghan Studies Center (ASC), Islamabad.
