Pakistan-Afghan relations are complicated and multidimensional, due to historical grievances, geopolitical realities, and volatile security concerns. Adding to the complication is India’s growing participation in Afghanistan, which Pakistan sees as a geopolitical manoeuvre to weaken its regional power. This article examines the complexities of Pakistan-Afghan relations, focusing on India’s consistent engagement in Afghanistan with the repercussions for Pakistan.

The Durand Line, created in 1893, has long been a point of friction between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s refusal to recognise this line has exacerbated tensions since Pakistan’s independence in 1947. Afghanistan’s backing for the Pashtunistan Movement, which advocates for an independent state for Pashtuns, has further exacerbated the relationship between both states. Since 1947, no Afghan administration has officially accepted the Durand Line as an international boundary. They see it as a colonial imposition that divided Pashtun territories. Pakistan, on the other hand, regards the Durand Line as a legally formed boundary based on negotiations. The controversial status of the Durand Line contributes to regional instability. It complicates border control, exacerbating challenges such as terrorism and extremism.

When the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979, Pakistan became a Cold War frontline state, that supported Afghan mujahideen with US aid. The withdrawal of Soviet soldiers and the subsequent civil war........

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