The Uncertain Future of Afghanistan: Security Perceptions in India & Pakistan

Abstract

One of the key developments in the South Asian regional politics is under way in Afghanistan; and both India and Pakistan are making efforts to influence Afghanistan’s future in their favour in order to address their perceived security concerns. To Pakistan, India has been making a palpable strategic investment in Afghanistan since 9/11 with a view to encircle Pakistan and reduce its strategic depth. From India’s perspective, besides helping Afghanistan in its rebuilding process, India’s current engagement in that country is aimed at preventing pro-Pakistan, anti-India Taliban assuming power. Pakistan, on the other hand, seems to cater its much desired objective of having a friendly regime across its western border to meet its security concerns that essentially stem from a perceived Indian threat. This paper is an attempt to understand the gravity of the security dilemma that an unsettled Afghanistan poses to India and Pakistan