Sometime Peace Comes By Force
This week’s blog will be the last of its series. Over the past weeks, I have written about Indian investment in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s reaction to it. There is a mutual feeling of distrust amongst the three countries, especially between Pakistan and its neighbor on West Afghanistan and its neighbor on the east, which is India. All of three of these countries share a mutual history of being colonized and exploited for their resources, thus making them sensitive about external influences influencing their sovereignty. India, a rapidly developing economic powerhouse is keen on spreading its influence globally. Afghanistan, a historical ally of India, has been suppressed by foreign powers and terrorist organizations. India wants to help Afghanistan build its economy and in return, India will be able to influence its political direction. Pakistan is worried about this because it believes that India is interested in Afghanistan because its geographical location and to use it against Pakistan by creating regional dominance. Pakistan has a valid reason to believe that Indians are not just helping Afghanistan out of good hearts. Yes, they have given Afghanistan the materials to develop economically and built key architectural complexes, but India alongside other countries, India too wants to take advantage of the fragile and young democracy of the country and use it to its own strategic advantages. India has been accused by Pakistan for using Afghanistan as a base to launch spy missions into Pakistan. Though unsubstantiated, it is likely that the claims being made by Pakistan are true. India on the other hand claims that Pakistan is supporting terrorism in India by supporting terror organizations such as Lakshar-e-Toiba. The motive is to create instability in Afghanistan and India which will allow Pakistan to exert more influence in the region.
Pakistan and India have been bickering over Afghanistan. Afghanistan cannot align itself with just Pakistan because it receives substantial aid from India and it cannot afford to alienate itself from Pakistan because it’s the neighboring country with strong U.S. backing.An action needs to be taken by the international community to get Afghanistan out of this relationship. It already has too many of it as domestic issues to deal with an focusing on the India- Pakistan issue will divert attention from the necessary issues within the country itself. Pakistan and India should form a partnership which will allow both of them to help Afghanistan and simultaneously, increase their own GDP too. There is no way that India and Pakistan will ever come to the table willingly to talk. Thus, either the U.N., U.S., or China should look into bringing their trade partners to the table so that there can be stability in the region. It will be beneficial to everyone because they can finally use the Silk Road and trade freely. Everyone needs to put their differences and realize that the Afghanistan is the priority and is the key to win a major battle against terrorism. Thus, I believe that an international action is necessary to bring Pakistan and India on the same page so that there can be regional stability and a shot at peace for Afghanistan.
